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English Club : Learn English : Vocabulary
Vocabulary : Idioms : W : wet behind the ears

wet behind the ears Informal

Meaning: If someone is wet behind the ears, they don't have much experience of life.

For example:

  • He's just finished high school, so he's still wet behind the ears.

  • Joni's still wet behind the ears and doesn't know how to deal with the other girls who tease her, but she'll soon learn.

Origin: Probably a reference to the inexperience of a baby so young as to still be wet from the birth.

Quick Quiz:

Young Bobby is still wet behind the ears, but he'll soon
  1. be dry behind the ears
  2. get some experience
  3. make new friends