just off the boat
just off the boat
Newly immigrated, especially without having yet assimilated or become accustomed to the host country's language, culture, or social norms. My grandfather was just off the boat when he opened up his business here in 1820, and he didn't speak a lick of English. I was lucky. I was just off the boat, but thanks to a friend of mine I managed to get a job teaching English at a preparatory school in Tokyo.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
just off the boat
Fig. to be newly immigrated and perhaps gullible and naive. I'm not just off the boat. I know what's going on. He may act like he's just off the boat, but he's very savvy.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
just off the boat
mod. freshly immigrated and perhaps gullible and naive. (see also FOB.) I’m not just off the boat. I know what’s going on.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.