Dolly house

noun DOL-ly HOUSE ˈdɔli haʊs

Also spelled dolly-house, play dolly house

Children's make-believe game of 'playing house' with dolls — and, figuratively, an unserious relationship treated like a game. 'Dis a nuh dolly house' means 'this isn't a game / take this seriously', warning that real life and real relationships are not pretend.

  • Di pickney dem a play dolly house inna di yaad.

    The children are playing house in the yard.

  • Marriage a nuh dolly house, it serious.

    Marriage isn't a game of playing house, it's serious.

  • Him treat di relationship like dolly house.

    He treats the relationship like a childish game.

From children 'playing house' with dolls; extended figuratively to warn that a real relationship or situation is not a pretend game.

Literal children's game and a figure for an unserious relationship. 'A nuh dolly house' = this is serious.