cut one's teeth

phrase

: to learn, do, or perform as a beginning or at the start of one's career
an actor who cut her teeth on television

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cut one's teeth was in 1842

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cut one's teeth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cut%20one%27s%20teeth. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster