prodigal sons

Repentant wasteful heirs

Prodigal sons are people, especially young men, who leave home to pursue pleasure or waste their inheritance, then return repentant.

The phrase comes from a parable in the Gospel of Luke, where a father welcomes back his wayward son with celebration.

The term often carries a note of forgiveness: The company welcomed back its prodigal sons after the startup failed.

Sometimes used ironically for anyone who returns after an absence.

Related

repentance · feasts · lost sheep · lost and found · forgiveness · unconditional love · second chances · redemption · sibling rivalry · chastening · parable · homecoming · welcome home · fatted calf · morals · atonement · transgression · long journey

Opposites
resource management

prodigal sonssavers

Those who accumulate resources

penny-pinchers · misers · economizers

moral/spiritual trajectory

prodigal sonssaints

Canonized religious figures

filial duty and loyalty

prodigal sonsmama's boys

Sons excessively dependent on mothers

Family

prodigal, sons, prodigality, prodigally, prodigious, prodigiously

Familiarity
Top 50,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G