once an adult, twice a child

== English == === Alternative forms === once an adult and twice a child === Etymology === Modern gender-neutralized form of once a man, twice a child (attested since the 16th century). === Proverb === once an adult, twice a child One is born as a child, grows to adulthood, and consequently enters old age, when one deteriorates and reverts to a childlike state. [from 1909] Hyponyms: once a man, twice a boy; once a man, twice a child; (rare) once a woman, twice a child