[at the beginning of one‘s casees;young and inexperienced] 初为世用;初入社会
直须惊破曹公胆,初出茅庐第一功!——《三国演义》
Basic Meaning
to be young and inexperienced
Detailed Explanation
"初出茅庐" literally means "just out of the thatched cottage." It is used to describe someone who is young and inexperienced, especially in a particular field or profession. It implies that the person lacks knowledge and skill due to their limited life experience.
Usage Scenarios
This idiom is often used to describe young individuals who are new to a field or profession and lack experience. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts.
Story Origin
The idiom originates from an ancient Chinese story. In ancient times, people used to live in thatched cottages. When a young person left their humble cottage to venture out into the world, they were considered to be inexperienced and naive.
Structure of the Idiom
This idiom follows the structure of "初出" meaning "just out of" and "茅庐" meaning "thatched cottage."
Memory Techniques
To remember the meaning of this idiom, you can imagine a young person stepping out of a thatched cottage, representing their emergence into the world with limited experience and knowledge.
Extended Learning
To further understand the concept of "初出茅庐," you can explore other related idioms such as "老马识途" , which means "an old horse knows the way." This idiom implies that experienced individuals are familiar with the path and can provide guidance to those who are inexperienced.