boys will be boys
English
Proverb
- It is hard, often fruitless, to attempt to curb the natural playfulness and tendency to mischief of most growing boys.
- 1922, James Joyce, chapter 13, in Ulysses:
- But just then there was a slight altercation between Master Tommy and Master Jacky. Boys will be boys and our two twins were no exception to this golden rule.
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- Even grown men usually remain somewhat boyish at heart.
- "Boys will be boys," grinned Grandpa as he watched his adult son playing with the fancy train-set he had given his grandson for Christmas.
Translations
boys are mischievous by nature
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men remain boyish at heart
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References
- Gregory Y. Titelman, Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings, 1996, →ISBN, p. 33.
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