opposite sex

Related to opposite sex: undeclared

the opposite sex

Collectively, the members of the other gender, typically the gender to which one is attracted. I still remember the torture of being in middle school, suddenly so fascinated by but at once terrified of the opposite sex. I don't understand this tendency we have right now to demonize the opposite sex as some kind of enemy in a made-up social war.
See also: opposite, sex
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

opposite sex

the other sex; (from the point of view of a female) males; (from the point of view of a male) females. (Also with member of, as in the example.) Ann is crazy about the opposite sex. Bill is very shy when he's introduced to the opposite sex. Do members of the opposite sex make you nervous?
See also: opposite, sex
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • the opposite sex
  • gender-neutral
  • neutral
  • play the gender card
  • gender fluid
  • gender fluidity
  • transition
  • CIS
  • agender
  • in drag
References in periodicals archive
Some devout Muslims argue that Islam does not permit physical contact with a person of the opposite sex, with the exception of certain immediate family members.
Like the girls in Ms Al Sanea's novels, many girls and boys tend to mingle with the opposite sex through inappropriate means, such as using the World Wide Web in order to seek companionship.
The first area of interest was the extent to which participants would forge friendships with same-sex and opposite sex people who were overtly promiscuous, subtly promiscuous, or not promiscuous based on participants' sex and relationship status.
Women and men living with a same-sex partner were significantly younger and better educated than those living with a partner of the opposite sex; they were substantially less likely to have children living with them.
Officers defended their actions, saying that many of the young couples were sitting in "objectionable poses." Students at the local university say they are frequently harassed by police if they are seen in public with a member of the opposite sex. "This is a basic infringement of our right to freedom," says Vikas Garg, a 21-year-old graduate student.
Percentage of Persons Aged 15-44 Years Overall Tested for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) * During the Preceding Year and Percentage by Number of Sex Partners of the Opposite Sex ([dagger])--United States, 2002 ([section])
Later that year, when we had what passed for a sex education class in the 1960s, I wondered why the teacher mentioned only attraction to the opposite sex. But I knew better than to ask.
The court held that the officer's alleged subjection of the inmate to a needlessly intrusive unclothed body cavity search in the presence of a female officer violated the Fourth Amendment, but the officer was entitled to qualified immunity because there was no clearly established right of inmates to be free from bodily exposure to officers of the opposite sex at the time of the search.
Aphra Behn's The Lover's Watch (1843910748, $12.00) tells of a desirable woman's analysis of the optimum hours for romance and the routines involved in wooing one of the opposite sex. Antoine Francois Prevost's Manon Lescaut (1843910756, $12.00) tells of a young man already worn by the brutalities of life, until a stranger persuades him to reveal his troubles and embark upon new discoveries.
Budding entomologists learn the habits and features of a variety of common insects through colorful Illustrations and text that defines how insects such as ants, ladybugs, and wasps communicate, defend themselves, and attract the opposite sex, Special points of interest bring the insects to life.
The Opposite Sex is the second in a run of three plays in the Forum's rep season.
Until then the someone of the opposite sex became a spouse after removing a three-year cohabitation period.
"Experiments have proven that pheromones can attract the opposite sex and lead to better sex lives for people who apply a few drops of pheromone fragrance each day.
They found that people are far more likely to marry people who look like their opposite sex parent, particularly when it comes to hair and eye colour.
Ever wonder why members of the opposite sex (or same sex, for that matter) seem more attractive after you've had a few drinks?