Johnny-come-lately

Given he’s been a megawatt star for more than half a century, it’s odd to think that Rod Stewart has opinions on anything as Johnny-come-lately as the Department of Government Efficiency.

From Salon ● Jun. 29, 2025

“King salmon is a Johnny-come-lately that came into this race only after king crab left—died.”

From Slate ● Sep. 18, 2022

In activewear — among the few strong-performing categories in the anemic apparel sector — J. Crew would appear to be a Johnny-come-lately.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 11, 2016

But while those places have lost their Johnny-come-lately airs, Kuala Lumpur retains its charming frontier-town raffishness.

From New York Times ● May 16, 2011

When I took Johnny-come-lately to gaol in Melbourne for stealing him, he brought me back in less time than any horse ever did the distance before or since.

From The Book of the Bush Containing Many Truthful Sketches Of The Early Colonial Life Of Squatters, Whalers, Convicts, Diggers, And Others Who Left Their Native Land And Never Returned by J. Macfarlane

Although its co-founders may be Johnny-come-latelies, it has plenty of chip-industry expertise in its ranks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026

Now the BBC and ITV look less like the big beasts and more like the Johnny-come-latelies.

From BBC ● Feb. 27, 2019

Maybe all you Johnny-come-latelies can just make a donation and leave your lips bare.

From Time ● Nov. 5, 2014

"I feel safe using some built by people who know what they are doing , but others are Johnny-come-latelies who use a lot of buzzwords but may not be all that useful."

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 3, 2013

Instead, he was relegated to the sidelines as a marginal player while Johnny-come-latelies like Hamilton and Madison occupied center stage.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis