Meanings
present singular third person splits the baby · participle present splitting the baby
- idiomaticTo resolve a dispute in a way that is disadvantageous to both parties.
As the proposal evolved, it is clear that the authors tried to split the baby—benefits would be linked to the worker's covered earnings, out of which contributions would be made, but there would be some subsidization.
2012, Sylvester J. Schieber, The Predictable SurpriseSynonyms: cut the baby in half, saw the baby in half
Synonyms & antonyms
verbTo resolve a dispute in a way that is disadvantageous to both parties.
Origin
In reference to the Judgment of Solomon.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
split the baby. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/split%20the%20baby
“split the baby.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/split%20the%20baby. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “split the baby,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/split%20the%20baby.
Source: split the baby on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.