Teach your grandmother to suck eggs

usgb
phrase

To advise or demonstrate to someone on a subject that they already know well.

My son was trying to explain how to use the smartphone, but that felt like he was trying to teach his grandmother to suck eggs.
Visual representation of "teach your grandmother to suck eggs" - To advise or demonstrate to someone on a subject that they already know well

Often appears as...

  • don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs
  • trying to teach your grandmother to suck eggs

Usage tips

Informal

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "teach your grandmother to suck eggs"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Older Expertise

Use when someone older or more experienced is told something they already know.

Illustration for Older Expertise
Explaining the tax system to Aunt Mary, a retired accountant, was like teaching your grandmother to suck eggs.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Potential Offense

It might offend if implying someone's advice is unnecessary.

Illustration for Potential Offense
When I corrected his email etiquette, he snapped back, 'Don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs!'
LampPro Tip 3/3

Cultural Humor

This phrase can be humorous, especially when self-applied, mocking one's own overconfidence.

Illustration for Cultural Humor
I tried lecturing about classic cars until I realized I was teaching my grandmother to suck eggs.
Visual representation of the word "Teach your grandmother to suck eggs"

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