long in the tooth
Meaning
Old or getting old; no longer young (often about people, sometimes things).
Origin
From judging a horse’s age by its teeth: as horses age, gums recede and teeth appear longer. By the 19th century it was used figuratively for people being old.
Notes
Slightly informal; can be humorous or mildly insulting. Often used with “a bit/too long in the tooth.” Be careful saying it directly to someone.
Examples
-
I’m starting to feel a bit long in the tooth for all-night gaming sessions.
-
The actor admitted he was getting long in the tooth for action roles but still loved the challenge.
-
This laptop is a little long in the tooth, so don’t expect it to run the latest software smoothly.
-
Our family car is long in the tooth, and repairs are becoming more frequent.
-
The startup’s original website looked long in the tooth compared with modern designs.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually used as a predicate adjective: “be (a bit/too) long in the tooth.” Less common attributively: “a long-in-the-tooth actor.” Fairly fixed wording.
Synonyms
- old
- getting on (in years)
- over the hill
- past one’s prime
Antonyms
- young
- youthful
- fresh-faced