sowed one's wild oats
Had reckless youth
Sowed one's wild oats means indulged in youthful excess, especially sexual adventuring, before settling into responsible adulthood.
The phrase implies a period of reckless behavior that one eventually outgrows: He sowed his wild oats in college before becoming a family man.
Often used to excuse or dismiss past indiscretions as a normal phase.
- recklessnessCareless disregard for danger
- wild childUnruly young person
- youthState of being immature
- promiscuityFrequent casual sexual encounters
- one night standsSingle-night sexual encounters
burning the candle at both ends · regret · early adulthood · nostalgia · impulsivity · adolescence · playing with fire · hedonism · coming-of-age · thrill-seeking · letting loose · living it up · carefree days · irresponsibility · maturity · self-discovery · finding oneself · emotional scars
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