you can't put an old head on young shoulders
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Young people inevitably lack the experience and wisdom which come with age.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
The boy seems to me a very good boy, but you can't put an old head on young shoulders.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “you can't put an old head on young shoulders” mean?
Young people inevitably lack the experience and wisdom which come with age.
Is “you can't put an old head on young shoulders” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.