English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Born yesterday
Meaning
The idiom "born yesterday" is used to describe someone who is naive, gullible, or uninformed about a particular topic or situation. It implies that the person has recently acquired knowledge or awareness about something and is therefore considered inexperienced or new to it.
Usage
- I was skeptical at first, but he convinced me with his presentation. He must be a born yesterday. - This sentence suggests that the speaker is impressed by someone's ability to persuade them, despite their initial doubts.
- She had never been to Paris before and was in awe of everything. She was truly a born yesterday. - In this sentence, the speaker uses the idiom to indicate that the person has recently experienced something new and is therefore inexperienced.
- I used to think that eating junk food was healthy, but after doing some research, I realized my mistake. I guess you could say I was a born yesterday. - This sentence implies that the speaker has recently acquired knowledge about nutrition and is now aware of their previous mistakes.
- He tried to convince me that vaccines were dangerous, but I knew better. He must be a born yesterday. - In this sentence, the speaker uses the idiom to indicate that someone's belief is misguided or uninformed.
- She was always interested in cooking and had taken classes, but her recipes never turned out well. It's clear she was a born yesterday when it came to cooking. - This sentence suggests that the person has recently acquired knowledge about cooking but is still inexperienced in applying it.
Roots and History
The idiom "born yesterday" dates back to at least 1946, when it was first used in the film "Born Yesterday." In the movie, Brooke Astor's character tells Bill Calhoun that he must be a born yesterday because he is so naive about politics. Since then, the idiom has become commonly used to describe someone who is new to a particular topic or situation and is therefore considered inexperienced or uninformed.
Synonyms in English
- Newcomer
- Neophyte
- Greenhorn
- Freshman
- Rookie
Synonyms in other languages
- In French, the idiom "naisqué un jour" has the same meaning as "born yesterday."
- In Spanish, the idiom "nacido anoche" means "born yesterday."
- In German, the idiom "neu gekommen" means "new to something" and can imply similar meanings.
- In Italian, the idiom "nuovo venuto" means "new arrival" and can be used to describe someone who is new to a situation or topic.
- In Japanese, the idiom "新しい人" (shinshi no hito) can mean "new person" and can imply similar meanings.