TO HAVE CUT ONE’S EYETEETH, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To have learned wisdom.
1748. T. DYCHE, A New General English Dictionary (5 ed.). EYE-TEETH (s.), those immediately under the eye; also quickness or sharpness of understanding and parts, are sometimes so called.
1835. HALIBURTON (‘Sam Slick’), The Clockmaker, 1 S., ch. xvi. Them ’ere fellers CUT THEIR EYE-TEETH afore they ever sot foot in this country, I expect.
