have one's whole life ahead of one

English

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Etymology

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The phrase is an exaggeration, the implication being that by being young one has barely experienced life at all.

Verb

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have one's whole life ahead of one (third-person singular simple present has one's whole life ahead of one, present participle having one's whole life ahead of one, simple past and past participle had one's whole life ahead of one)

  1. (informal) To be young, and therefore have many years left to live and experience life.
    You're only 25; you have your whole life ahead of you. Go out and travel and see the world.