eat (one's) young
To neglect, betray, or harshly criticize members of a group that are of a lower status or position. The more experienced nursing staff has been accused of eating their young, treating trainees and new nurses with sometimes intolerable contempt. As the business crumbled, the CEOs and members of management began eating their young out of desperation, indiscriminately firing anyone who had less than five years' experience in the company.
young fogey
A young person who acts older than he or she is, due to conservative and/or outdated beliefs and behaviors. A play on the more common phrase "old fogey"—and older person with outdated ideals. Primarily heard in UK. You don't want to come to the club? Ah, you're such a young fogey. I can't believe you're going to bed early on a Saturday night so that you can go to church in the morning—you're such a young fogey!
young lady
1. A girl, typically one who is between adolescence and adulthood. You are becoming quite the responsible young lady.
2. An admonishment for a girl, typically given by her parents. You are in so much trouble, young lady! I can't believe you borrowed my car without my permission!
young man
1. A boy, typically one who is between adolescence and adulthood. You are becoming quite the responsible young man.
2. An admonishment for a boy, typically given by his parents. You are in so much trouble, young man! I can't believe you borrowed my car without my permission!
young once
A phrase emphasizing that someone will not be young forever. Typically used in the phrase "you're only young once." You need to go skydiving with us. Come on, you're only young once—it's time for an adventure!
bright young thing
A young person who is exuberant, ambitious, and glamorous. A: "Daisy is a bright young thing, isn't she?" B: "I know! I wish I had an ounce of her verve and style."
only the good die young
A phrase typically used as a source of comfort after someone has died at a young age. I know that only the good die young, but I'm still heartbroken to have lost my best friend—she was just 20 years old and had her whole life ahead of her! He was just the kindest person, and only the good die young.
sweet young thing
A cute, innocent young girl or woman. You are 60 years old! How, in good conscience, can you date that sweet young thing? I love spending time with my niece, she's such a sweet young thing.
while we're young
slang Hurry up! The phrase suggests that one might wait so long for something as to reach old age. Come on, make a decision while we're young! While we're young, Jim! We need to get going!
you can't put an old head on young shoulders
A young person cannot be expected to have or display the wisdom and sound judgment of an older person. I know that you can't put an old head on young shoulders, and yet, I still get so frustated with my son and the ridiculous things that he does!
you can't put a wise head on young shoulders
A young person cannot be expected to have or display the wisdom and sound judgment of an older person. I know that you can't put an wise head on young shoulders, and yet, I still get so frustated with my son and the ridiculous things that he does!
younger brother
One's younger male sibling. Yeah, I have a younger brother—his name is Jim. Johnny is Bella's younger brother.
younger sister
One's younger female sibling. Yeah, I have a younger sister—her name is Jill. Bella is Johnny's younger sister.
an old head on young shoulders
A young person who acts or speaks like an older person. Katie may only be 13, but she is so insightful. She's really an old head on young shoulders. Tommy seems like an old head on young shoulders since he's always repeating the outdated phrases he hears from his grandmother.
Better be an old man's darling than a young man's slave.
Prov. A young woman should prefer to marry an old man who dotes on her rather than a young man who may treat her badly. When Mr. Nash proposed to me, I thought he was too old, but my mother advised me, "Better be an old man's darling than a young man's slave." When Marion's friends objected that her fiance was much too old for her, she said, "Better be an old man's darling than a young man's slave."
(The) good die young.
Prov. Good people tend to die at an early age. Marshall's twenty-year-old son died in a car crash; it did not comfort Marshall to think that the good die young. Jill: It doesn't seem fair that Laurie is dead. She was such a wonderful person. Jane: They always say that the good die young.
not as young as one used to be
Fig. getting old. Aunt Lila isn't as young as she used to be. She can't take a lot of trips anymore. Don't walk so fast! I'm not as young as I used to be. It takes me awhile to catch up.
Whom the gods love die young.
Prov. Virtuous or gifted people die at an early age, because the gods want those people to be with them in the afterlife. So many brilliant authors and artists died before the age of fifty that it's easy to believe that whom the gods love die young.
*young at heart
having a youthful spirit no matter what one's age. (*Typically: act ~; be ~; keep someone ~; stay ~.) I am over 70 but I still feel young at heart.
Young men may die, but old men must die.
Prov. Young people may be killed by accidents or disease, but old people cannot avoid dying for very long, simply because they are old. When Grandfather was so sick, he told us, "Don't feel too bad if I pass on; it's my time. Young men may die, old men must die." I'm afraid old Mr. Ferris won't live much longer. Young men may die, but old men must die.