calf

A mild, generally temporary crush, infatuation, or romantic attraction, especially that which is not expected to last or come to fruition. It's not uncommon for long-term medical patients to experience a bit of calf love for their nurses or doctors after a while. Ben always devotes himself to some new calf love that he can pour his adoration onto, but it never comes to anything serious.

Fig. to prepare an elaborate banquet (in someone's honor). (From the biblical story recounting the return of the prodigal son.) When Bob got back from college, his parents killed the fatted calf and threw a great party. Sorry this meal isn't much, John. We didn't have time to kill the fatted calf.

Fig. mild infatuation; infatuation as in a crush. (Used especially of adolescent relationships.) Is it really love or just puppy love? Look at them together. It may be puppy love, but it looks wonderful.

to celebrate in order to welcome a friend or relative that you have not seen for a long time Annie's coming home, let's kill the fatted calf!

romantic love which a young person feels for someone and which usually disappears as they become older At the time I was sure I would marry him when I grew up but of course it was just puppy love.

Prepare for a joyful occasion or a warm welcome. For example, When Bill comes home from his trip to Korea we're going to kill the fatted calf. This expression alludes to the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), whose father welcomed him by serving the choicest calf after his return. [Early 1600s]

Also, calf love. Adolescent love or infatuation, especially one that is not expected to last, as in Beth is besotted with him, but we think it's just puppy love, or He's got a bad case of calf love. [First half of 1800s]

To hold a celebration, usually a long-awaited homecoming. Luke 15:23 describes the return of the prodigal son as, “And bring here the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry . . .” Although the guest of honor in the biblical parable was a wastrel whose father welcomed home, “to kill the fatted calf” can refer to a party for anyone whom the host is pleased to see.

A juvenile crush, an infatuation. The phrase refers to an adolescent male's total devotion to the object of his affection by displaying the uncritical ardor of a young dog to its owner. “Mooning over” and “calf eyes” are apt phrases for such an affliction. The 1960s teen singing idol Neil Sedaka had a hit record of a song by that name.