IdiomThe Absurd
English
Englishsow one's wild oats
Meaning: To do foolish or wild things, usually as a youth.
Example: “He sowed his wild oats in his twenties and settled down at thirty.”
Equivalents in other languages
German: sich die Hörner abstoßen Literally: To knock off one's horns
French: Jeter sa gourme Literally: To throw off one's strangles
Origin: Wild oats are a weed that farmers do not want in their fields, so sowing them was pointless or harmful. The phrase for a young person's reckless behavior, especially sexual, is recorded from the 16th century.
More English idioms
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- spitting image An exact likeness.
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- spring something on someone To surprise someone with something.
- on the spur of the moment Suddenly or spontaneously; without advance planning.
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