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

Why is it so challenging for fashion to take the lead? Why does this feel like a Johnny-come-lately decision to denounce reprehensible behavior — not because the behavior is inherently awful, but because it’s no longer cool?

From Washington Post ● Oct. 24, 2017

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

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 Macfarlane, J.

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

Seemed like Carson assumed that Mrs. Hughes isn't one of these foxtrotting, rouge-applying Johnny-come-latelies, and that she still appreciates the old attitudes.

From Slate ● Feb. 4, 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