CUT TEETH

v. phr. 1. To have teeth grow out through the gums. The baby was cross because he was cutting teeth. 2. cut eye teeth informal To learn something very early in life; gain experience; start by learning or doing. Used with a possessive, usually used with "on". The professional ball player cut his teeth on a baseball bat in the sandlots. Mr. Jones's company is building the new Post Office in town but Mr. Jones cut his eye teeth as a carpenter.