prodigal son/daughter

noun

: a son/daughter who leaves his or her parents to do things that they do not approve of but then feels sorry and returns home

—often used figuratively

He left the company several years ago, but now the prodigal son has returned.

Examples of prodigal son/daughter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In September, the prodigal son will be in a Los Angeles federal court on tax evasion charges — which are more serious and, believe it or not, more salacious. —Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2024

Or even the prodigal son returning home save the family. —Clarence E. Hill Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 May 2024

None is more electrifying than a traditional spiritual about the prodigal son, which Oglesby uses to net her first theatrical role. —Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 29 Jan. 2024

But the deeper throughline of The Stones and Brian Jones involves the primal wound of a prodigal son. —Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Nov. 2023

In Sweden, summer is embraced like the return of a prodigal son. —Madeline Weinfield, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2023

Deeply resentful of his absence, with no qualms about commenting on his appearance (created with the use of a fat suit), Ellie is the prodigal daughter with a monster chip on her shoulder. —Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2022

Refusing to grow bitter or give up hope that someday my brother will return like the prodigal son. —Jamie Quatro, The New Yorker, 31 July 2023

Eastman became an active writer and illustrator on the comics line again starting in 2011 — the prodigal son had returned to the Turtles! —Jarrett J. Krosoczka, BostonGlobe.com, 25 July 2023