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# a bun in the oven

phrase (idiom; informal)

«a bun in the oven» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, informal) a baby on the way: to have a bun in the oven = to be pregnant.
2. (literal) bread or a cake baking in the oven.

### In the lessons

A jokey family way of saying a woman is expecting a baby; UK, US, Australia; chat, gossip, birthday cards; not in medical or official writing.

### Examples

- Guess what — she's got a bun in the oven!
- Mum laughed: «Yes, there's a bun in the oven, you're going to be a big sister.»
- Gossip: «Is it true Sarah has a bun in the oven?»
- Card: «Congratulations on the bun in the oven!»
- There's a bun in the oven for tea — don't let it burn.
- The doctor would say «pregnant», not «a bun in the oven».

### Note

Stands for «pregnant». Child readers may take it literally — in a kitchen story it can be a real bun. Too casual for a doctor's letter; can be rude to say about someone who has not shared the news.