Phrase guide

have a bun in the oven

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To be pregnant; to be expecting a baby.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

Qualifier: sometimes considered vulgar

Examples

  • Her parents were surprised to learn that she had a bun in the oven.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

be pregnant with

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • She is bearing his child
  • The are expecting another child in January
  • I am carrying his child

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: bear, carry, gestate, expect

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: give birth, deliver, bear, birth, have

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 有了 (yǒu le) — (informal) to be pregnant; to be expecting a baby
  • Danish: have en kage i ovnen — (informal) to be pregnant; to be expecting a baby
  • Danish: have brød i ovnen — (informal) to be pregnant; to be expecting a baby
  • French: avoir le ballon — (informal) to be pregnant; to be expecting a baby
  • French: avoir un polichinelle dans le tiroir — (informal) to be pregnant; to be expecting a baby
  • French: avoir une brioche au four — (informal) to be pregnant; to be expecting a baby
  • French: être en cloque — (informal) to be pregnant; to be expecting a baby
  • German: einen Braten in der Röhre haben — (informal) to be pregnant; to be expecting a baby
  • Norwegian: ha en bolle i ovnen — (informal) to be pregnant; to be expecting a baby
  • Swedish: ha en bulle i ugnen — (informal) to be pregnant; to be expecting a baby
  • Vietnamese: đeo ba lô ngược — (informal) to be pregnant; to be expecting a baby