boys will be boys /bɔɪ̯z wɪl biː bɔɪ̯z/ saying3 •It is hard, often fruitless, to attempt to curb the natural playfulness and tendency to mischief of most growing boys.But just then there was a slight altercation between Master Tommy and Master Jacky. Boys will be boys and our two twins were no exception to this golden rule. — 1922 •Even grown men usually remain somewhat boyish at heart.Boys will be boys, grinned Grandpa as he watched his adult son playing with the fancy train-set he had given his grandson for Christmas. •(informal, offensive) Any potentially objectionable behavior (especially predatory sexual behavior) that the speaker considers to be commonly practiced by many boys and men should be viewed as excusable because it comes naturally to them.
