He was not even a twinkle in his father's eye back then.
twinkle in one's father's eye
idiomA notional look of anticipation or hope (either for sex or a child) in one's father's eyes at or around the time of one's conception.
The old family house was built long before I was even a twinkle in my father's eye.
The ancestral estate had stood for generations, existing in quiet solitude long before any of us were even a twinkle in our father's eye.
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abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
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ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
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act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
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act one's age, not one's shoe size
Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).
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afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
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air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
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air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
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albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.