in the family way

Idioms and Phrases

Pregnant, as in Mary's in the family way again . This euphemistic expression dates from the late 1700s and may be dying out.

Example Sentences

Giovana and Yago are soon in the family way, in a story that covers many years, a bit too breezily, and many ups and downs in this couple’s growing — and entirely unexpected — family.

From Washington Post

When the call finally came, however, she had to inform the powers-that-be that she was in the family way.

From Los Angeles Times

In the 1990s and 2000s, Sweeney was a cast member on “Saturday Night Live,” starred in “It’s Pat: The Movie,” appeared on TV shows such as “Frasier” and “Sex and the City,” and performed one-handers such as “God Said, ‘Ha!’” and “In the Family Way.”

From New York Times

Austen finds her “as affectionate & pleasing as ever”, but notes to her sister that “from her appearance I suspect her to be in the family way. Poor Woman!”

From The Guardian

The day I found out she was in the family way, I finally knew for sure they had.

From Literature