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be a hundred years too early

idiom
Meaning

To be so immature and unprepared as to have no hope of achieving an accomplishment.


Origin

disputed origin

Calque of Japanese 百年早い (hyaku-nen hayai). This Japanese idiom was a hyperbole derived from 十年早い (jūnen hayai, “you are ten years too early”).

Examples
SIMPLE

You are a hundred years too early to lead this team.

CONTEXTUAL

He tried to argue with the experienced professor, but he was a hundred years too early to understand the complex theory.

COMPLEX

The young politician proposed radical changes to the constitution, yet his colleagues felt he was a hundred years too early to grasp the gravity of the national crisis.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    a hundred and ten percent

    A level of effort beyond what one can usually sustain; great exertion.

  2. 02

    bat five hundred

    To be successful half of the time; to have a success rate of 50%.

  3. 03

    bright and early

    (Very) early in the morning.

  4. 04

    call it an early night

    To go to bed or cease one's activities earlier in the evening than usual.

  5. 05

    Christmas come early

    Something very delightful or fortunate that is happening or has happened, especially earlier than expected.

  6. 06

    donkey's years

    A long time, years and years.

  7. 07

    early bath

    The condition of being shown a red card in soccer.

  8. 08

    early bird

    A person who wakes early or arrives early, typically before most others.

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