sowing one's wild oats
Young reckless behavior
Sowing one's wild oats describes a period of reckless or promiscuous behavior, typically in youth, before settling into a more responsible adult life.
The phrase usually refers to sexual experimentation or general carousing, and it's most often applied to young men.
He spent his twenties sowing his wild oats before finally getting married.
The agricultural metaphor suggests scattering seed carelessly rather than cultivating a proper crop—implying behavior that's unproductive but perhaps inevitable.
- flirtationPlayful romantic attention
- one night standSingle engagement or tryst
- promiscuityFrequent casual sexual encounters
- adventureRisky exciting undertaking
- playing the fieldDating without commitment
impulsiveness · thrill-seeking · rebellion · romance · dalliance · escapism · responsibility · hedonism · seduction · no strings attached · carousing · infatuation · courtship · risk-taking · indiscretion · youthful indiscretion · boys will be boys · adulthood
sowing one's wild oatssettling down
Becoming stable and rooted
getting married · tying the knot · starting a family · committing · monogamy
sowing one's wild oatschastity
Abstaining from sexual activity
celibacy · self-denial · abstinence · temperance · moderation
sowing one's wild oatsacting one's age
Behaving appropriately for years lived
growing up · maturing · adulting · buckling down · getting serious
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