separate the men from the boys, to

separate the men from the boys

To distinguish or separate the experienced, competent, or strong participants from those who are not. We've had some easy games so far in the season, but this next one is going to separate the men from the boys. This is a business that separates the men from the boys—don't get involved unless you have what it takes.

See also: boy, men, separate

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

separate the men from the boys

and separate the sheep from the goats

Fig. to separate the competent from those who are less competent. (Not necessarily just about males.) This is the kind of task that separates the men from the boys. Working in a challenging place like this really separates the sheep from the goats.

See also: boy, men, separate

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

separate the men from the boys

Distinguish between mature, experienced individuals and novices, as in The picket line will separate the men from the boys in the union. The idiom is used without respect to gender. [c. 1930]

See also: boy, men, separate

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

separate (or sort out) the men from the boys

show or prove which people in a group are truly competent, brave, or mature.

1968 House & Garden The Dry Martini…is a drink that will quickly separate the men from the boys and the girls from their principles.

See also: boy, men, separate

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

separate the men from the boys, to

To distinguish those who are mature and competent from those who are young and green. This term, always used figuratively, was popular in business and politics from the 1930s on, often put as “This emergency will separate the men from the boys”—that is, will show who is able to deal with it effectively. The mystery writer A. A. Fair used it in Beware (1956): “This is the kind of stuff that separates the men from the boys.”

词组	separate the men from the boys, to
释义	separate the men from the boys, to separate the men from the boys To distinguish or separate the experienced, competent, or strong participants from those who are not. We've had some easy games so far in the season, but this next one is going to separate the men from the boys. This is a business that separates the men from the boys—don't get involved unless you have what it takes. See also: boy, men, separate Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. separate the men from the boys and separate the sheep from the goats Fig. to separate the competent from those who are less competent. (Not necessarily just about males.) This is the kind of task that separates the men from the boys. Working in a challenging place like this really separates the sheep from the goats. See also: boy, men, separate McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. separate the men from the boys Distinguish between mature, experienced individuals and novices, as in The picket line will separate the men from the boys in the union. The idiom is used without respect to gender. [c. 1930] See also: boy, men, separate The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. separate (or sort out) the men from the boys show or prove which people in a group are truly competent, brave, or mature. 1968 House & Garden The Dry Martini…is a drink that will quickly separate the men from the boys and the girls from their principles. See also: boy, men, separate Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary separate the men from the boys, to To distinguish those who are mature and competent from those who are young and green. This term, always used figuratively, was popular in business and politics from the 1930s on, often put as “This emergency will separate the men from the boys”—that is, will show who is able to deal with it effectively. The mystery writer A. A. Fair used it in Beware (1956): “This is the kind of stuff that separates the men from the boys.” See also: men, separate The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer See also: separate the men from the boys sort out the men from the boys sort out/separate the men from the boys separate fact from fiction non compos non compos (mentis) keep (two or more people) straight (in one's mind/head) keep people straight NTBCW Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
随便看	swing with swing with (someone or something) swing with someone/something swipe swipe at swipe at (someone or something) swipe left swipe right swirl swirl about swirl around swish swish around swish off swish (something) off of (someone or something) Swiss Swiss bank account switch switch around switch back switched on switcheroo switch from switch from (something) (to something else) switch gears