# cut one's teeth

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/cut-ones-teeth
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To begin; to gain early experience.

## Examples

- She cut her teeth working at a small local bakery.
- Many famous journalists cut their teeth at small newspapers before moving to the big city.
- The young architect cut his teeth on minor residential renovations, eventually gaining the expertise required to lead the design of the city's new museum.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.