birth
Related to birth: birth certificate, childbirth, natural birth
accident of birth
Any and all particulars surrounding one's birth (physical characteristics, social background, and even nationality) that are considered a result of parentage and the specific circumstances of birth, and are therefore entirely out of one's control. My poverty when I was young was merely an accident of birth; through hard work and determination, I was able to overcome it and lead a successful life.
See also: accident, birth, of
birth tourism
Travel to another country for the specific purpose of giving birth to one's child there, so as to avail of that country's economic advantages, such as superior healthcare, or to gain citizenship for the child and/or parent(s). Due to its universal healthcare, even for foreign nationals, the country is a popular destination for birth tourism.
See also: birth
give birth to (someone or something)
1. To birth a baby. Angela gave birth to a beautiful baby girl last night.
2. To bring something into existence. The technological advances gave birth to the Industrial Revolution.
See also: birth, give
strangle (something) at birth
To stop the development or continuance of something at an early stage. I'm afraid the board may strangle this proposal at birth if the benefits are not carefully explained to them.
See also: birth
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
give birth to someone or something
1. Lit. to have a child; [for an animal] to bring forth young. She gave birth to a baby girl. The cat gave birth to a large number of adorable kittens.
2. Fig. to bring forth a new idea, an invention, a nation, etc. The company gave birth to a new technology. The basic idea of participatory democracy gave birth to a new nation.
See also: birth, give
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
give birth to
1. Bear a child, as in She gave birth to her first child exactly at midnight. [Early 1800s]
2. Also, give rise to. Be the cause or origin of. For example, His hobby gave birth to a very successful business, or The economic situation gave rise to widespread dissatisfaction. The first term dates from the early 1700s, the second from the late 1700s.
See also: birth, give
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
give ˈbirth (to somebody/something)
produce a baby or young animal: She died shortly after giving birth. Mary gave birth to a healthy baby girl. (figurative) It was the study of history that gave birth to the social sciences.See also: birth, give
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
give birth to
1. To bear as offspring.
2. To be the origin of: a hobby that gave birth to a successful business.
See also: birth, give
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- accident of birth
- birth tourism
- bring (someone) into the world
- bring into the world
- give birth
- give birth to
- give birth to (someone or something)
- repatriate to some place
- be before somebody's time