youth
(the) youth must be served
1. Young people should be treated with forbearance while given enough freedom to express and understand themselves. You keep trying to force your kids into this strict mold of appropriate behavior and attitudes, but youth must be served. If kids grow up without being allowed to be kids, they'll turn out emotionally stunted. A: "I can't believe she didn't come home until 4 AM this morning!" B: "Ah, leave her be. The youth must be served."
2. The beliefs, ideals, or ideologies of the younger generation as a whole must be considered and adopted. The company has adhered to the same traditions for the last 50 years, but the youth must be served or it will be in danger of becoming obsolete. The reason there is such a disconnect between politicians and young voters is that the former doesn't take to heart the lesson that youth must be served.
See also: must, serve, youth
bloom of youth
The most enjoyable and/or successful time of one's youth, likened to the bloom of a flower being its most prominent and beautiful moment. I have a great fondness for that age, when I was in the bloom of youth.
See also: bloom, of, youth
fountain of youth
Anything reputed or promising to restore one's youth, vitality, or health, or at least the appearance thereof. At the age of 60, your grandmother looks fantastic! She must have discovered the fountain of youth. The way they advertise these skincare products makes you think each one is the fountain of youth or something.
See also: of, youth
growing youth has a wolf in his belly
proverb Young people who are growing seem to be hungry all the time. My teenage son has eaten every last bit of food in the house. I guess it's true that a growing youth has a wolf in his belly.
See also: belly, grow, wolf, youth
the first flush of (something)
The beginning or early stages of something. Of course they're happy now—they're still in the first flush of marriage!
See also: first, flush, of
youth is wasted on the young
proverb Young people do not appreciate all the good things about youth that they will come to desire once they are older. All the time and energy these kids have at their disposal, and they'd rather sit around all day watching TV instead of exploring the world around them. Youth is wasted on the young!
See also: on, wasted, young, youth
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
A growing youth has a wolf in his belly.
Prov. Young people who are growing fast are hungry all the time. If you doubt that a growing youth has a wolf in his belly, you should see how much my fourteen-year-old cousin eats.
See also: belly, grow, wolf, youth
Youth must be served.
Prov. Young people should be allowed to have fun. Don't lecture the young folks because they were out dancing all night. Youth must be served. I don't know where my daughter gets the energy for school, sports, and a full social life. Youth must be served, I suppose.
See also: must, serve, youth
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
(in) the first flush of ˈyouth, enˈthusiasm, etc.
when somebody is young or something is new: By then, he was no longer in the first flush of youth. In the first flush of enthusiasm, we were able to get everyone interested in helping.See also: first, flush, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
flower of youth, the
The best or finest time of life, at the peak of good looks, good health, and vigor. “He hath the flower of youth, wherein is the fulness of strength,” wrote Homer in the Iliad (ca. 850 b.c.). Shakespeare used similar language, but not the precise wording of the cliché. But John Dryden did, in Alexander’s Feast (1697), describing the lovely Thais “in flow’r of youth and beauty’s pride.”
See also: flower, of
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- (the) youth must be served
- Youth must be served
- by ankle express
- express
- Who'd have thunk it?
- get (oneself) across
- get across
- put (oneself) across
- put across
- (Don't ask me,) I just work here.