once a woman, twice a child

From once a man, twice a child.

• (Received Pronunciation, General American) IPA^(key): /ˌwʌn(t)s‿ə ˈwʊmən ˌtwaɪs‿ə ˈt͡ʃaɪld/
• Rhymes: -aɪld
• Hyphenation: once a wo‧man, twice a child

once a woman, twice a child

1. (rare) A woman is born as a child, grows to adulthood, and consequently enters old age, when she deteriorates and reverts to a childlike state.

• once a man, twice a boy
• once a man, twice a child