terrible twos

[ ter-uh-buhl tooz ]

plural noun

1. a developmental phase in some toddlers characterized by temper tantrums, mood swings, defiance, and territorial behaviors:

   The terrible twos have reduced my kiddo’s vocabulary to two words, “mine” and “no!”

Word History and Origins

Origin of terrible twos¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

According to Long, the pup was in a stage akin to the terrible twos.

From Los Angeles Times

Over and over in this year’s films, male characters throw elaborate temper tantrums, whining, huffing and raging like toddlers in their terrible twos.

From New York Times

Briggs said the “terrible twos” and “challenging threes” are known as such for a good reason.

From Los Angeles Times

On her third birthday, she overheard my husband saying to me that the year of the terrible twos was finally coming to an end.

From Washington Post

Yet few parents survive the terrible twos unscathed by humiliation and opprobrium as they struggle to calm children who are acting out in public.

From Los Angeles Times