separate the men from the boys
phrase
: to show which people are really strong, brave, etc., and which are not
Now that the competition gets tough it will separate the men from the boys.
Cite this Entry
“Separate the men from the boys.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/separate%20the%20men%20from%20the%20boys. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
