Definition

1. Noun:

   • The young of certain carnivorous mammals: A "cub" is the young offspring of animals such as bears, lions, tigers, wolves, or foxes.
   • An inexperienced youth: Informally, a "cub" can refer to a young, awkward, or inexperienced person, often a boy or a young man.
   • A specific term in organizations: In some contexts, like scouting, a "cub" is a young member (e.g., a Cub Scout).

2. Verb:

   • To give birth to cubs: Used specifically for certain carnivorous mammals when they bear their young.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The lioness protected her cub from danger.
  • He was just a cub reporter, new to the newspaper business.
  • My son joined the Cubs, the junior section of the Scouts.

• Verb:

  • The bear will cub in her den during the winter.

Advanced Usage

• "Unlicked cub": An old idiom referring to a rude, ill-mannered, or uncouth young person. It originates from the folk belief that bear cubs were born shapeless and had to be licked into proper form by their mother.
  • The arrogant young heir was dismissed as an unlicked cub by the old aristocracy.

Variants and Related Words

• Cubbyhole (n): A small, snug room or compartment.
  • She stored her notes in a cubbyhole in her desk.
• Cub Scout (n): A member of the junior division of the Boy Scouts (or Scouts) for younger children.
  • He earned his first badge as a Cub Scout.

Synonyms

• Whelp (n): A young animal, especially of a dog, lion, or similar mammal. (Can also be used derogatorily for a young person.)
• Pup (n): The young of certain animals like dogs, seals, or sharks.
• Junior (n): A younger person, especially in terms of rank or experience.
• Novice (n): A person new to or inexperienced in a field or situation.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Cub" is not commonly used to form phrasal verbs. Its usage is primarily as a standalone noun or verb.)

Related Idioms

• "Throw the cubs to the wolves": A variation of "throw to the wolves," meaning to sacrifice someone, especially the inexperienced or vulnerable, to a hostile situation.
  • Sending the new interns to handle the angry clients was like throwing the cubs to the wolves.

Noun

1. the young of certain carnivorous mammals such as the bear or wolf or lion
2. a male child (a familiar term of address to a boy)
3. an awkward and inexperienced youth

Verb

1. give birth to cubs
   • bears cub every year