trick-or-treating

trick-or-treating

The act of dressing up in a costume at Halloween and going to various people's doors to ask for candy, at which point they say the set phrase "trick or treat!". Typically performed by children. Sorry, I can't come, I promised my little brother that I would take him trick-or-treating tonight. Don't you think you're a bit old to still be trick-or-treating?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • trick-or-treater
  • trick or treat
  • go to (something) as (someone or something)
  • go about
  • go about (doing something)
  • candy man
  • taking
  • candy store
  • ear candy
  • go as
References in periodicals archive
Knowing when Halloween's trick-or-treating starts is just as important as knowing when it ends.
Trick-or-treating at participating store, while supplies last.
Go trick-or-treating, face painting, coloring activity, balloon twisting, and join the Halloween party.
Among the hotels MB visited are Best Western Plus Antel Hotel, which had a great Halloween party theme: "Heroes and Legends." The kids took their trick-or-treating from the hotel right up to A.
We'd all heard the US story about psychos who put razor blades in apples SIOBHAN ON HER CHILDHOOD FEAR OF TRICK-OR-TREATING Put a candle or pumpkin in your window so everyone knows you're part of the fun ANDREA ON THE CORRECT ETIQUETTE FOR HALLOWEEN
Halloween is all about going trick-or-treating with your best friends.
I'd recently read in a book that, over here in the UK, we hadn't done trick-or-treating 'til we saw ET back in 1982.
If a youngster is scared to go trick-or-treating, Stavinoha recommends the following: a parent should offer to tag along; go trick-or-treating before dark; or plan alternative activities, such as a movie night at home or Halloween party.
Every year, the children assemble at the American International School parking lot, which becomes a small "neighborhood" that provides a safe and friendly arena for trick-or-treating. The children first do a costume parade around the lot and then go from car to car to load up on goodies.
CONSIDER TAKING PART IN A TRICK-OR-TREATING TRADITION THAT DATES BACK TO 1950.
He added that young children should only go trick-or-treating with an adult, and children of any age should never go alone.
Instead of trick-or-treating for candy and treats, they trick-or-treated for glasses.
Sarah also wants to go trick-or-treating with her friends, but knows that large amounts of candy are bad for her.
These simple tips reveal how to keep trick-or-treating safe.
Even the most health-conscious parents let their kids go trick-or-treating. Who has the heart to stop them?