10 Phrases Adults Said That Made No Sense
As kids, we trusted adults to have all the answers, but sometimes, their words left us more confused than comforted. Certain phrases were repeated with full confidence, even though they made absolutely no sense when you really thought about them.
- Tricia Quitales
- 4 min read
Growing up, many of us heard strange phrases from adults that we simply accepted without question. Looking back, it’s clear that some of these sayings were vague, illogical, or just downright bizarre. Whether they were meant to teach lessons, shut down arguments, or avoid giving real answers, they often left young minds puzzled. These 10 phrases seemed wise at the time but make little to no sense now.
1. “Because I said so”
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This phrase ended more arguments than any logical explanation ever could. As kids, we waited for a real reason, but this line offered none. It felt like a shortcut for avoiding further questions. Adults used it to assert authority without backing it up. In hindsight, it solved nothing and explained even less.
2. “You’ll understand when you’re older”
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Every time we asked something serious, this was the answer we got. It left us in a weird limbo of curiosity and confusion. The problem is, even now, some of us still don’t understand. The phrase just delayed an explanation instead of offering insight. It became a permanent way of avoiding real conversations.
3. “Don’t cry or I’ll give you something to cry about”
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This one sounded more like a threat than advice. We were already crying, so the logic felt twisted. It never made clear what “something to cry about” even meant. It made emotions feel like a problem rather than something normal. Looking back, it was more fear-inducing than helpful.
4. “Money doesn’t grow on trees”
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We knew money came from banks, not trees, so this phrase always felt odd. It was meant to teach value and responsibility but just confused young minds. The metaphor made sense to adults but sounded literal to kids. It could have used more context for clarity. As a standalone line, it created more questions than answers.
5. “If your friends jumped off a bridge, would you?”
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This rhetorical question was supposed to teach independent thinking. But most of us never suggested doing anything close to bridge-jumping. The dramatic comparison didn’t match the actual situation, like asking for sneakers because our friend had them. It felt extreme and unrealistic. As a result, it rarely made the point it was trying to.
6. “Close the door, were you born in a barn?”
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We were often scolded with this after leaving a door open, but it made no sense unless someone was actually raised on a farm. The line assumed barn-born kids don’t close doors, which felt like a weird insult. It was confusing, especially for city kids who had never seen a barn. The message got through, but the delivery was strange.
7. “You’ll ruin your appetite”
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This was usually said right before dinner when we reached for a snack. As kids, we didn’t understand how eating now could affect eating later. Hunger didn’t seem that complicated to us. The phrase felt like a mystery with no clear rule behind it. Adults used it, but it never came with a satisfying explanation.
8. “You’re bored? I’ll give you something to do”
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Saying you’re bored often led to unexpected chores instead of entertainment. It turned a harmless statement into a setup for more work. Instead of understanding or offering help, adults saw boredom as an offense. This phrase taught us to keep quiet rather than explore our feelings. It made boredom feel dangerous rather than natural.
9. “A little bird told me”
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This line made it seem like adults had secret spies flying around. As kids, it sounded magical and scary at the same time. We never knew how they found out what we did. Eventually, we realized they just talked to other adults. But for years, we watched birds more carefully, just in case.
10. “Don’t make that face or it’ll stick like that”
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It was often said when we were pouting or being silly. The idea that a face could freeze permanently was terrifying. We had no way of knowing it was a joke. It discouraged playfulness instead of correcting bad behavior. In the end, it was a strange scare tactic with no real logic behind it.