To cut one’s teeth

To cut one’s teeth

When we say that someone has cut their teeth on something we are using a metaphor to mean that they experienced or practised something at an early stage before becoming much more proficient and expert.

We might say, for instance:

• She hasn’t always been a famous actor, she cut her teeth playing small roles in local theatres.
• He cut his teeth working in the regional office; now he’s managing director of the whole company.
• They’re cutting their teeth performing in small venues, but I think that they’ll soon be playing in major arenas.
• He cut his teeth playing in the midfield for his local youth team and went on to be an international star.

The idiom has its origin in the fact that as children develop, their first teeth grow (or “cut”) through their gums. When children have “cut their teeth” they are ready to start doing the relatively advanced task of eating solid food.

The phrase is often used with “on”. For example:

• She cut her teeth on small roles in local theatres.
• He cut his teeth on jobs in the regional office.
• They’re cutting their teeth on performances in small venues.
• He cut his teeth on playing for his local youth team.

Posted by Graham