just a joey
- noun
- Australian
- Everyone was patient with me at first because I was just a joey in the company.
Examples
-
It's tough being just a joey on your first day at school.
-
At the first rehearsal, she looked like just a joey compared to the older dancers.
-
Don't worry, he's just a joey in this field.
-
Why do you treat him like that? He's just a joey!
-
At the first rehearsal, she looked like just a joey compared to the older dancers.
-
Everyone was patient with me at first because I was just a joey in the company.
-
It's tough being just a joey on your first day at school.
Synonyms
315
3.7
A person new to a job or activity who has little experience
141
1.6
A person who has recently arrived in a place, joined a group, or started an activity
65
4.7
A person who is new to a job or activity and has little experience
38
5.5
A young person who is new to a job
16
3.7
A person or thing new to a group that others do not know yet
12
2.4
A person new to a group or activity in their first year
8
8.4
A person who is new and not skilled at games or online groups
3
9.1
A person who recently joined a group and is seen as a newcomer
3
4.3
A person new to a place who people notice
1
8.8
A new person with little experience in a job or group
1
9.2
A person who is new to an activity and has little skill
Antonyms
How Experienced
∞
3.2
152
4.1
255
2.1
51
3.4
- Australian
141
1.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
The literal constituents—'just' (only) + 'a' (article) + 'joey' (young marsupial)—do not directly state ‘inexperienced person’ but allow a clear metaphorical extension from a young animal to a novice. Because this is a figurative, regionally marked slang use (Australian), the meaning is inferable for learners who know 'joey' but is not fully predictable or universally transparent without exposure.
Etymology
Just a joey comes from Australian speech where a joey is a baby kangaroo that lives in its mother's pouch. Because a baby kangaroo is small and still learning, calling someone 'just a joey' means they are 'young' or 'inexperienced'.