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rob the cradle

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rob the cradle

Fig. to marry or date someone who is much younger than oneself. I hear that Bill is dating Ann. Isn't that sort of robbing the cradle? She's much younger than he is. Uncle Bill—who is nearly eighty—married a thirty-year-old woman. That is really robbing the cradle.

See also: cradle, rob

rob the cradle

Have a romantic or sexual relationship with someone much younger than oneself, as in The old editor was notorious for robbing the cradle, always trying to date some young reporter . [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]

See also: cradle, rob

rob the cradle

Informal

To have a romantic or sexual relationship with someone significantly younger than oneself.

See also: cradle, rob