spring chicken

/'spriɳ'tʃikin/ Cách viết khác : (springer) /'spriɳə/
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spring chicken

A farmer carries a spring chicken to the coop.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A young chicken bred for eating: A chicken, typically under 10 weeks old, that is slaughtered for its tender meat.
    • A young or inexperienced person: (Informal, often humorous or ironic) Used to refer to someone who is young, especially when suggesting they lack experience or are not as young as they think.
Usage and Examples

  • Literal meaning (young chicken):

    • The recipe calls for a spring chicken, not a mature hen.
    • We roasted a spring chicken for dinner.

  • Figurative meaning (young person):

    • He's no spring chicken, but he can still run a marathon. (This is an idiom implying he is not young.)
    • Don't try to fool me with that story; I'm no spring chicken, you know. (Used to assert that one is not naive or inexperienced.)
Advanced Usage and Nuances
  • The phrase is most commonly used in the negative form "no spring chicken" to humorously or pointedly state that someone is not young.
    • That car is no spring chicken; it's over 20 years old. (The idiom can be extended to objects to mean 'not new'.)
  • It can carry a slightly dismissive or teasing tone when referring to someone's age or experience.
Variants and Related Words
  • Chicken: The general term for the bird.
  • Pullet: A young hen, especially one less than one year old.
  • Fryer/roaster: Terms for chickens of specific ages and weights suitable for frying or roasting, often synonymous with 'spring chicken'.
Synonyms
  • Youth: A young person (more formal).
  • Youngster: A young person.
  • Fledgling: A young bird or an inexperienced person (can be metaphorical).
  • Tenderfoot: A newcomer or inexperienced person (often in a specific context like camping).
Idioms and Fixed Phrases
  • No spring chicken: The primary idiom. It means not young anymore.
    • She started her own company at 50, proving she's no spring chicken but full of energy.
  • (To be) a spring chicken: Used literally or, less commonly, to affirm someone's youth (often in negative constructions or questions).
    • What do you mean, 'old'? You're still a spring chicken!
spring chicken

A farmer carries a spring chicken to the coop.

Noun
  1. a young chicken having tender meat
  2. a young person (especially a young man or boy)

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