new to the game

new to the game

Inexperienced in a particular area or activity. Despite its use of the word "game," this phrase does not usually refer to sports. I know my employees are skeptical of me because I'm new to the game—I need to prove that I have what it takes.
See also: game, new
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

new to the game

If you are new to the game, you have little or no previous experience of the activity that you are taking part in. Small investors, many of whom are new to the game, appear to believe that there is no end to the riches rolling in. She's new to the game and will take a while to complete the task, so you need to be patient.
See also: game, new
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • be new to the game
  • game on
  • rookie
  • rooky
  • (as) sure as eggs (is eggs)
  • a penny for them
  • great minds
  • great minds think alike
  • a word to the wise
  • get thee behind me
References in periodicals archive
New to the game, Tom relies on Kate, who is obviously holding back on what she knows and what she can do.
This summer, the Nashville Sounds are bringing something new to the game of baseball--recycling.
"Our sense is that the carriers are new to the game business, and given what we're seeing from the competition, the carriers really want branded or recognizable content," Orr says.
"The people in charge there are new to the game - and by that I mean they hadn't seen a game of football until they were involved in Southampton.
So three cheers for Huddersfield Lawn Tennis Club, which in its own words gives a welcome to the 'established player, a weekly hacker or someone totally new to the game'.