babe in the woods en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
From the ballad "The Children in the Wood".
Meanings
-
(idiomatic) A person who is innocent, naive, inexperienced, or helpless, especially with respect to an unfamiliar situation or environment.
"Orde, you're all right on the river," said Newmark, with a dry little laugh, "but you're a babe in the woods at this game."
1908, Stewart Edward White, chapter 11, in The Riverman:Taylor is aware of the perception that he is the innocent, exploitable babe in the woods of the Geelong defence.
2008, Jake Niall, "‘Weakest link’ no more, Harry shows he's tailor-made," The Age (Australia), 8 Sep. (retrieved 23 May 2009)
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| babes in the woods | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| babe in the wood | alternative | lexicographic |