Idiom
it's early days
Meanings
It is too soon to know what will happen or to judge how successful something will be.
A situation has only recently begun, so it is still developing.
Definition
Used to say it is too soon to know the result or make a final judgment.
It’s early days means a situation has only just started, so you should not expect clear results yet. People use it to avoid making predictions or decisions too quickly. It often suggests that more time, information, or progress is needed before conclusions can be drawn.
Examples
- It’s early days, but the new manager seems promising.
- We’ve had one meeting so far—it’s early days, so let’s not panic.
- It’s early days in the investigation, and the police haven’t confirmed anything.
- It’s early days, yet sales are already picking up.
- It’s early days for their relationship, so they’re taking things slowly.
Common mistake
Learners often say “it’s in early days” or use a singular form like “it’s early day,” but the natural idiom is “it’s early days.”
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idioms
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- close but no cigar Used to say someone almost succeeded but did not quite achieve the goal.
- down to the wire Used to say something is decided or finished only at the last possible moment.
- lost the plot To become confused or behave in a way that no longer makes sense.
- ducks in a row To have everything organized and ready for action.