cut one's teeth
Gain first experience
To cut one's teeth is to gain early experience or learn fundamentals in a particular field or activity.
The phrase comes from infants cutting their first teeth—a formative developmental milestone.
She cut her teeth as a journalist covering local politics.
He cut his teeth on classical piano before moving to jazz.
- get one's feet wetMake a first attempt
- learn the ropesAcquire essential working knowledge
- rookieInexperienced newcomer
- apprenticeshipLearning trade through employment
- baptism by fireDifficult first test
novice · beginner · green as grass · starting out · early days · hit the ground running · greenhorn · entry-level · probationary period · take the plunge · formative years · mentorship · fledgling · training · learn by doing · wet behind the ears · break the ice · bite
cut one's teethmaster
Authority or controller
know inside and out · know the ropes · come into one's own · hit one's stride
cut one's teethretire
Cease employment permanently
hang up one's spurs · hang up one's hat · ride off into the sunset · wind down · step aside
cuts, cutting, cutter, cutters, ones, oneself, tooth, teeth, toothed