He often remembers his salad days with a smile.
salad days
idiomA period of inexperienced youthful innocence accompanied by enthusiasm and idealism.
Origin
first recorded 17th c.Coined by William Shakespeare in Antony and Cleopatra around 1607, see quotations.
During their reunion, the old friends spent the evening reminiscing about their salad days as struggling artists in the city.
Though he had achieved great wealth and status, he secretly longed for the simplicity and unbridled optimism of his salad days.
- 01
all one's born days
One's whole life.
- 02
bad old days
The past, seen as a time when things were worse.
- 03
count one's days
To prepare for imminent retribution or termination.
- 04
day of days
A particularly noteworthy day; the day on which a milestone or especially memorable event occurs.
- 05
days of yore
The past; bygone days.
- 06
halcyon days
A period of calm, usually in the past and often nostalgic.
- 07
it's early days
Indicating it is too soon to know the outcome of a situation, often implying it is too early to make a judgment or prediction.
- 08
one's days are numbered
Some period of time, such as a term of employment or a lifetime, is coming to an end.