big enough and ugly enough

• big and ugly enough (rare)

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

big enough and ugly enough

1. (informal) Mature, grown-up, old enough (with the implication that one can look after oneself and make one's own decisions).
   • 2002, Nokuthula Mazibuko, In the Fast Lane‎, →ISBN, page 59:

     Her aunt answered, 'You just go off my child. There are two young women here who are big enough and ugly enough to help me with the dishes.'

   • 2014, Maggie Caldwell, Deceitful Desires‎, →ISBN, page 345:

     Don't worry – he'll come home. He's big enough and ugly enough to look after himself.

• big boy
• big girl