PhrasesHub

She is no chicken

    Definitions

      • to indicate that someone is not young or inexperienced
        to describe someone who is mature or experienced, often in a positive way

      • to indicate that someone is brave and courageous
        to describe someone who is bold and willing to take risks

    Examples of She is no chicken

    • Sarah is not afraid to speak her mind in meetings. She is no chicken when it comes to presenting her ideas to the executive board.

      This idiom is used to describe someone who is bold, courageous, and self-assured, especially in situations that may be challenging or intimidating. In this example, Sarah is distinguished from someone who may be timid or hesitant to speak up in important meetings. By comparing her to a chicken, which is often associated with being weak or easily frightened, the speaker is emphasizing Sarah's confidence and leadership qualities.

    • Jennifer doesn't back down from a debate, she's no chicken when it comes to defending her political beliefs.

      Similar to the previous example, this idiom is being used to describe someone who is not afraid to stand their ground and defend their opinions. Jennifer's willingness to engage in debates and defend her political beliefs is being compared to a chicken's unwillingness to face a predator. The speaker is suggesting that Jennifer is not someone who will fold under pressure or be easily defeated in an argument, much like a chicken would not be easily defeated by a predator.

    • Mark isn't afraid to travel alone. He's no chicken when it comes to exploring new places.

      This idiom is being used to describe someone who is independent, adventurous, and unafraid of new experiences. By comparing Mark to a chicken, which is often regarded as a domesticated animal that is kept in a confined space, the speaker is emphasizing Mark's bravery and sense of freedom when traveling alone. The use of this idiom suggests that Mark is not someone who is content with staying in one place or confined to a specific environment, but someone who is eager to explore new places and discover new experiences.

    • Lily isn't easily intimidated. She's no chicken when it comes to standing up for what's right.

      This idiom is being used to describe someone who is principled, courageous, and stands their ground in the face of adversity. By comparing Lily to a chicken, which is often regarded as an animal that is easily intimidated by predators, the speaker is emphasizing Lily's strength of character. The use of this idiom suggests that Lily is someone who is not willing to compromise their beliefs or values, but is instead someone who strives to do what is right, even in the face of opposition or criticism.

    • In a negotiation with a tough client, Sara refused to back down. She stood her ground and demanded what was fair.

      The idiom "She is no chicken" is used here to mean that Sara was not afraid to face the challenge and was confident in her decisions. It implies that she is brave and not easily intimidated.

    • During a crisis at work, Liam took charge and made critical decisions. He showed leadership and acted quickly to resolve the situation.

      The idiom "He is no chicken" is used here to emphasize that Liam was not passive or indecisive in the face of pressure. Instead, he stepped up and demonstrated strong leadership skills.

    • Rachel's presentation to the board was flawless. She delivered it with confidence and poise, leaving the audience impressed.

      The idiom "She is no chicken" is used here to indicate that Rachel's performance was not timid or uncertain. Instead, she presented herself as competent and self-assured.

    • In a debate, Jake argued his point of view with conviction, not yielding to opposing views.

      The idiom "He is no chicken" is used here to illustrate that Jake was not intimidated by opposition or criticism. It suggests that he was confident in his ideas and able to defend them persuasively.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "She is no chicken" can be used to convey two different meanings. It can be used to indicate that someone is not young or inexperienced, suggesting that the person is mature and experienced. It can also be used to indicate that someone is brave and courageous, suggesting that the person is bold and willing to take risks.

    Overall, this idiom is used to highlight someone's maturity, experience, bravery, or courage in a positive light.

    Origin of "She is no chicken"

    The origin of the idiom "She is no chicken" can be traced back to the literal meaning of the word "chicken" as a young bird. In this context, calling someone "no chicken" means that they are not a young or inexperienced person.

    The idiom may have originated from the idea that chickens are often associated with being young and vulnerable, so calling someone "no chicken" implies that they are not vulnerable or inexperienced. Over time, the meaning of the idiom has evolved to also include the idea of bravery and courage, as chickens are also sometimes associated with being timid or easily scared. The idiom is now commonly used to praise someone for their maturity, experience, bravery, or courage.