rob the cradle

rob the cradle

To date someone who is much younger than oneself. Are you sure it doesn't bother you how much older I am? I feel like people are judging me for robbing the cradle.
See also: cradle, rob
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

rob the cradle

Fig. to marry or date someone who is much younger than oneself. I hear that Bill is dating Ann. Isn't that sort of robbing the cradle? She's much younger than he is. Uncle Billwho is nearly eightymarried a thirty-year-old woman. That is really robbing the cradle.
See also: cradle, rob
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

rob the cradle

Have a romantic or sexual relationship with someone much younger than oneself, as in The old editor was notorious for robbing the cradle, always trying to date some young reporter . [Colloquial; first half of 1900s]
See also: cradle, rob
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

ˌrob the ˈcradle

(American English, informal) have a sexual relationship with a much younger person: She robbed the cradle when she married me. ▶ ˈcradle-rob (American English) (British English ˈcradle-snatch) verb ˈcradle-robber (American English) (British English ˈcradle-snatcher) noun: Tim, you’re such a cradle snatcher. She’s like ten years younger than you!
See also: cradle, rob
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

rob the cradle

Informal
To have a romantic or sexual relationship with someone significantly younger than oneself.
See also: cradle, rob
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • for (one's) (own) sake
  • for sake
  • keep (someone or something) in sight
  • keep in sight
  • keep sight of
  • keep sight of (someone or something)
  • keep sight of somebody/something
  • leave (someone, something, or oneself) (wide) open for (something)
  • leave oneself wide open for
  • leave (someone, something, or oneself) (wide) open to (something)