holy terror

Thân thiện

A little holy terror runs through the supermarket aisle, knocking over a cereal display.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A very troublesome child: A child who is extremely difficult to control, often causing a lot of mischief or disruption.

Usage

• The term "holy terror" is used informally and often humorously to describe a child whose behavior is exceptionally challenging or chaotic. It emphasizes the significant trouble or annoyance the child causes.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Ever since he learned to walk, little Tommy has been a holy terror, getting into everything.
  • The teacher said the twins were adorable but absolute holy terrors in the classroom.

Advanced Usage

• While primarily used for children, "holy terror" can sometimes be applied humorously or hyperbolically to an adult who is very difficult to manage or who causes a lot of trouble in a specific context.
  • My new boss is a holy terror about meeting deadlines.

Variants and Related Words

• Terror (n): Extreme fear. (Note: "Holy terror" is a specific idiomatic compound; the word "terror" alone has a different primary meaning).
• Hellion (n): A troublesome, mischievous, or unruly person, especially a child.
• Little monster (n, informal): A humorous term for a badly behaved child.

Synonyms

• Handful: A person, especially a child, who is difficult to control.
• Menace: A person or thing that is likely to cause harm; a troublemaker.
• Rascal: A mischievous or cheeky person, especially a child or man (often used affectionately).

Related Idioms

• To be a handful: To be difficult to manage or control.
  • Her three-year-old is a real handful at the supermarket.
• To raise hell / to raise Cain: To behave in a very noisy, angry, or disruptive way.
  • The kids raised hell when the babysitter tried to put them to bed.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a very troublesome child

Từ đồng nghĩa

• terror
• brat
• little terror