young gun
Eager new competitor
A young gun is someone new to a field who shows talent and ambition, often challenging established figures.
The term carries connotations of boldness and competitive drive: The young guns in the department are pushing for change.
It originates from Western imagery—the eager newcomer ready to prove himself in a shootout.
Recent arrival somewhere
- newbieInexperienced person, informally
- noviceInexperienced newcomer to field
- greenhornInexperienced, gullible newcomer
- fledglingInexperienced newcomer
neophyte · tyro · beginner · trainee · apprentice · recruit · freshman · initiate
Remarkably talented youngster
- phenomExceptional talent, informally
- whiz kidExceptionally talented youngster
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
- talentInborn aptitude
gifted · genius · savant · precocious · brilliant · mastermind · wizard · maven
Ambitious, driven person
- drivenIntensely determined to achieve
- hungryWanting to eat
- aspiringSeeking to achieve
- determinedFirmly committed to purpose
bold · enterprising · striver · climber · self-starter · trailblazer · hustler · mover
newcomer
Recent arrival somewhere
- newbieInexperienced person, informally
- noviceInexperienced newcomer to field
- greenhornInexperienced, gullible newcomer
fledgling · neophyte · tyro · beginner · trainee · apprentice · recruit · freshman · initiate · entrant
wunderkind
Remarkably talented youngster
- phenomExceptional talent, informally
- whiz kidExceptionally talented youngster
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
talent · gifted · genius · savant · precocious · brilliant · mastermind · wizard · maven · hotshot
go-getter
Ambitious, driven person
determined · bold · enterprising · striver · climber · self-starter · trailblazer · hustler · mover · shaker
spirited
Full of vim
zealous · eager · enthusiastic · gung-ho · keen · passionate · vigorous · gutsy · feisty · scrappy
- novicesnovice, beginner, rookie, newbie, greenhorn
- rising starsrising star, up-and-comer, newcomer, breakout star, prospect
- childrenkids, toddler, baby, infant, tot
- agingaging process, aging body, biological age, aging workforce, aging parents
- young talentschild actor, prodigy, wunderkind, virtuoso, genius
- youth sayingsfountain of youth, salad days, spring chicken, tender age, wet behind the ears
young gunveteran
Experienced former soldier
old hand · old-timer · elder statesman · old guard · lifer
young gunold fogey
Outdated, inflexible person
stick-in-the-mud · traditionalist · fuddy-duddy · has-been · dinosaur
young, gun, younger, youngest, youngster, youngsters, guns, gunner, gunners