fresh/just off the boat
idiom
informal
: recently arrived in a country
My parents met in New York when my father was fresh off the boat from Italy.
Examples of fresh/just off the boat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The previous night’s catch—amberjack, dolphin fish, some red snapper—is being grilled fresh off the boat, with a simple mix of salt and rosemary, for the 40 guests who have paid to join the fundraiser and enjoy a delicious three-course meal in the process.
—
Tristan Kennedy, WIRED, 19 Mar. 2024
One person Faurer memorably captured, in 1947, was his friend Frank, fresh off the boat and out on the job, beginning to search his new country for photographs.
—Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2023
Two young men walk into a bar, one fresh off the boat from Ireland (A.J. Shively) and another (Sidney DuPont) who’s just escaped slavery on the Underground Railroad.
—Naveen Kumar, Variety, 3 Apr. 2022
Putter back to the island for sunrise yoga; beach and jungle restaurants where ingredients come fresh off the boat or are pulled from organic gardens; and expert therapists from Thailand, Bali, and India at the Meera Spa.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Dec. 2021
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Tristan Kennedy, WIRED, 19 Mar. 2024
One person Faurer memorably captured, in 1947, was his friend Frank, fresh off the boat and out on the job, beginning to search his new country for photographs.
—Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2023
Two young men walk into a bar, one fresh off the boat from Ireland (A.J. Shively) and another (Sidney DuPont) who’s just escaped slavery on the Underground Railroad.
—Naveen Kumar, Variety, 3 Apr. 2022
Putter back to the island for sunrise yoga; beach and jungle restaurants where ingredients come fresh off the boat or are pulled from organic gardens; and expert therapists from Thailand, Bali, and India at the Meera Spa.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Dec. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Fresh/just off the boat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fresh%2Fjust%20off%20the%20boat. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share