terrible twos
English
editNoun
editterrible twos pl (plural only)
- (informal, psychology) A developmental stage in toddlers, normally occurring around the age of two, involving refusals and temper tantrums.
- 1988 February, Working Mother, volume 11, number 2:
- The terrible twos can begin at 18 months and last until about age five.
- 1990, Susan Hughes, Ryan: a mother's story of her hyperactive/Tourette syndrome child:
- The terrible twos came early. Almost a year early. When Ryan learned to walk it was the end of our peace of mind!