parental unit

parental unit

One of one's parents. (Often used in the plural to indicate both parents.) Which parental unit is coming to pick you up from school today, nerd? I'd love to come, but I need to check with the parental units if it's all right.
See also: parental, unit
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

(parental) units

n. parents. (see also rent(al)s.) Hey, units! I need to talk to you about something really important.
See also: parental, unit
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • parental
  • parental units
  • free-range kids
  • step-father
  • step-mother
  • step-parent
  • step-dad
  • step-mom
  • darken my door (again), don't/never
  • free-range parenting
References in periodicals archive
Such a power shift can no doubt be a little uncomfortable for parental units, who are more accustomed to setting the rules and don't always see eye to eye with their children.
A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE
Their children sat gape-mouthed at their parental units spewing forbidden obscenities.
Bush Buys a Round
There can be a high degree of flexibility in parental roles, but men and women are not interchangeable "parental units," particularly in their children's early years.
Women and the future of fatherhood
You could notify the parental units next time your sister tries to cover up for skipping choir practice.
Gettin' the last laugh: dissed? Dumped? Ratted on? Who can blame you for wanting revenge? But there is a better way...
Despite the casting of the redoubtable Frances Sternhagen and Brian Murray as two of American literature's most dysfunctional parental units, the Irish Repertory Theatre's inconsistent effort needs a clearer raison d'etre if it is to rise above the category of solid but prosaic Off Broadway revival.
Long Day's Journey Into Night
It really stinks when, to top it all off, one or both of your parental units are going through a tough time.
When Parents Have Probs