the indiscretions of youth, esp dissoluteness before settling down (esp in the phrase sow one's wild oats)
wild oats in American English
1. US
a woodland plant (Uvularia sessilifolia) of the lily family, with small, drooping, yellowish flowers, native to E North America
2.
any of several wild grasses (genus Avena); esp., the wild progenitor (A. fatua) of the cultivated oat, having strong, twisted awns and commonly occurring as a weed, esp. in the W U.S.