spring chicken

noun

1. a young chicken, especially a broiler or fryer.

2. Slang.,  a young person.

   I don't know his age, but he's no spring chicken.

spring chicken

noun

1. Also called: springer. a young chicken, tender for cooking, esp one from two to ten months old

2. informal,  she is no longer young

Word History and Origins

Origin of spring chicken¹

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Idioms and Phrases

see no spring chicken.

Example Sentences

As impersonated by Matt Walker, the company’s director and comic frontman, he makes the late-career Las Vegas singer look like a spring chicken.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“The papacy is a huge burden. Especially for an older man,” Adeyemi replies, cutting his eyes at Tremblay, no spring chicken, in a particular way.

Read more on Salon

“I mean, I’m 40 years old. I know I’m not a spring chicken anymore.”

Read more on Seattle Times

“I’m not a 22-year-old spring chicken anymore. I’m 31 and I got to find a way to stay fresh and stay warm.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Mr Biden turns 81 on Monday, making him the oldest president ever, with Mr Trump no spring chicken at 77.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• immature 
• inept 
• naive 
• undisciplined 
• unschooled 
• unsophisticated 
• untried 
• young