1cra·dle 
/ˈkreɪdl̟/ noun
plural cra·dles /ˈkreɪdl̟/ noun [count] 1 : a bed for a baby that is usually designed to rock back and forth when pushed gently
▪ She rocked the cradle. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ He learned to play chess when he was barely out of the cradle. [=when he was very young] 2 formal : the place where something begins — usually singular — usually + of ▪ the cradle of civilization/liberty 3 : something that is used to hold or support something else
▪ She placed the phone back on its cradle. ▪ A number of ships were resting in their cradles in the shipyard. 4 Brit : a platform designed to move up and down the sides of a building so that workers can paint, clean, etc.
▪ She rocked the cradle. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ He learned to play chess when he was barely out of the cradle. [=when he was very young]
▪ She placed the phone back on its cradle. ▪ A number of ships were resting in their cradles in the shipyard.
from (the) cradle to (the) grave
: from the beginning until the end of life
▪ He led a life of hardship from the cradle to the grave. ▪ The book describes her life from cradle to grave.
▪ He led a life of hardship from the cradle to the grave. ▪ The book describes her life from cradle to grave.
rob the cradle
US, informal : to date or marry someone who is much younger than you
▪ His friends accused him of robbing the cradle when they saw how young his girlfriend was.
▪ His friends accused him of robbing the cradle when they saw how young his girlfriend was.
— see also cat's cradle
