wet behind the ears

Cultural  

1. Immature, inexperienced, and naïve: “Don't rely on his advice about girlfriends; he's still wet behind the ears.”

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wet behind the ears Idioms  

1. Also, not dry behind the ears. Immature, inexperienced, as in How can you take instructions from Tom? He's still wet behind the ears, or Jane's not dry behind the ears yet. This term alludes to the fact that the last place to dry in a newborn colt or calf is the indentation behind its ears. [Early 1900s]

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Example Sentences

“She walked into a situation - a tiny little indie movie with a bunch of young people wet behind the ears - and she came in so funny, so crisp and so brilliant,” says Showalter.

From Washington Times • Mar. 9, 2016

Carson, still wet behind the ears, jumps at his boss' every command.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2015

If Moeen is the first-choice spinner, then fine, but Stokes and Jordan - both a little wet behind the ears with the ball - should probably be competing for the same place.

From BBC • May 20, 2015

He recalls legendary coach Chuck Noll telling the wet behind the ears crop of new talent that even though being paid to play made football their profession, it shouldn’t be their life.

From Forbes • Feb. 11, 2015

“This guy says you’re so wet behind the ears, your lobes are dripping.”

From "X: A Novel" by Ilyasah Shabazz

Related Words

• fresh
• new
• raw