半路出家

半路出家

Literally means:

become a monk or nun late in life

Actually means:

出家 means leaving home to become a monk or nun. The whole phrase means one becomes a monk or nun after growing into an adult.

It figuratively means before one gets into a profession, he did not receive regular education or training. It also means one switches to a new job or profession.

出家，离开家庭去当和尚或尼姑。半路出家，成年后才去做和尚、尼姑。

比喻在进入某个行业工作之 前，没有受过正规的教育或培训。也指中途改行从事别的专业。