patter of little feet, the
patter of little feet, the
The presence of small children. This now usually ironic or satiric reference to the presence or imminent arrival of offspring was originally a bit of Victorian sentimentalism, as in Lord Ronald Sutherland-Gower’s Reminiscences (1883): “The patter of little feet, and the unconscious joyousness of children.”
See also: little, of, patter
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- in the presence of (someone)
- in (one's) presence
- in somebody's presence
- make strange
- make strange (with one)
- back in the saddle
- smell of
- smell of (something)
- swear out
- melt in