in a/the family way

in a/the family way

euphemism Pregnant. Did you hear the good news? Kristin is in the family way!See also: family, way

*in a family way

 and *in the family wayFig. pregnant. (*Typically: be ~; get someone ~.) I've heard that Mrs. Smith is in a family way. Our dog is in the family way.See also: family, way

in the family way

Pregnant, as in Mary's in the family way again. This euphemistic expression dates from the late 1700s and may be dying out. See also: family, way

in the family way

pregnant. informalSee also: family, way

in the ˈfamily way

(old-fashioned, informal) pregnantSee also: family, way

in a family way

and in the family way mod. pregnant. I hear that Britney is in a family way. See also: family, way

in the family way

verbSee in a family waySee also: family, way

in the family way

Pregnant.See also: family, way