Cut your teeth on: Learn what the means through example!

What does “Cut your teeth on” mean?

"Cut your teeth on" means to gain experience or learn a skill by doing something for the first time.

What context can I use the in?

Example

I cut my teeth on coding by building my first website.

Example

She cut her teeth on public speaking by giving presentations at school.

Example

He cut his teeth on cooking by experimenting with different recipes

Is “Cut your teeth on” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“Cut your teeth on” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “Cut your teeth on” effectively in context?

You can use "Cut your teeth on" to describe the process of gaining experience or learning a skill by doing something for the first time. It emphasizes the idea of starting from scratch and gradually improving through practice and hands-on learning. For example, if someone asks you how you became proficient in coding, you could say, 'I cut my teeth on coding by building my first website.'

• 1. Learning a New Skill

  She cut her teeth on public speaking by giving presentations at school.

• 2. Gaining Experience

  He cut his teeth on cooking by experimenting with different recipes.

• 3. Starting a New Career

  Before becoming a successful entrepreneur, she cut her teeth on sales by working as a door-to-door salesperson.

Similar phrases to “Cut your teeth on”:

Learn the ropes

To become familiar with the basics or essentials of a job or activity

Example

She quickly learned the ropes of her new job and became an integral part of the team.

Dive in headfirst

To enthusiastically and fully commit to a task or activity

Example

He dove in headfirst and started his own business without any prior experience.

Get your feet wet

To start doing something new or unfamiliar

Example

She got her feet wet in the world of photography by taking a beginner's course.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “Cut your teeth on” come from?

The origin of the phrase "Cut your teeth on" is unknown.

Is “Cut your teeth on” common in everyday conversation?

Yes, "Cut your teeth on" is a common expression in everyday conversation. It is often used to describe the process of learning or gaining experience in various fields or activities.

What tone does “Cut your teeth on” have?

"Cut your teeth on" conveys a tone of perseverance and growth. It suggests that the person has overcome challenges and obstacles to acquire new skills or knowledge.

Can “Cut your teeth on” be used in informal and formal settings?

Yes, "Cut your teeth on" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is a versatile expression that can be used in casual conversations as well as professional contexts to describe one's learning or career journey.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'He cut his teeth on cooking by experimenting with different recipes.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Time to "cut your teeth on"!' to imply readiness to learn or gain experience.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

• start from scratch
• beginner's luck
• learn by doing
• trial and error
• hands-on learning

Antonyms

• master from the start
• skip the learning curve
• expert from day one
• skip the basics