People talk about getting older in many different ways. Sometimes they use special phrases called idioms. Idioms are groups of words that have a meaning different from the words by themselves. When people use idioms about age, they can be funny, kind, or serious. These phrases help us understand how people think about getting older.
In this article, you will learn 30 idioms about age. Each one shows a different way people talk about growing older. Knowing these idioms can help you understand conversations better. You will also see examples of how to use these sayings in sentences. This makes learning about age easier and more fun.
Idioms for Age
1. Over the hill
Meaning: Someone who is getting old, usually past middle age.
Samples: Grandpa jokes that he’s over the hill now that he’s turned 60. / Some people think you’re over the hill at 50, but that’s not true.
To Put it Another Way: She said her best running days were over because she’s over the hill. / He got a funny card that said, “Welcome over the hill!”
2. Long in the tooth
Meaning: Someone who is old or getting older.
Samples: My dog is getting a bit long in the tooth, but he still loves walks. / That old truck is long in the tooth, but it still runs.
To Put it Another Way: She’s a little long in the tooth for skateboarding. / The TV show is long in the tooth but still popular.
3. Age before beauty
Meaning: A joke said when letting an older person go first.
Samples: “Age before beauty,” said Dad, letting Grandpa go through the door. / At family dinner, Uncle Joe said, “Age before beauty,” to get his plate first.
To Put it Another Way: She smiled and said, “Age before beauty,” as she let her mom go ahead. / It’s a playful way to respect someone older.
4. Getting up there in years
Meaning: Someone is growing older.
Samples: My teacher said she’s getting up there in years but still loves teaching. / That house has been around a long time; it’s really getting up there in years.
To Put it Another Way: My neighbor said he’s getting up there in years and likes quiet mornings. / The dog is getting up there in years but still plays fetch.
5. No spring chicken
Meaning: Someone who is not young anymore.
Samples: Grandma laughs and says she’s no spring chicken. / He’s no spring chicken, but he still plays basketball on weekends.
To Put it Another Way: I’m no spring chicken, but I can still dance! / She’s no spring chicken, but she hikes every morning.
6. Past your prime
Meaning: Not as young or strong as before.
Samples: He used to run marathons, but now he says he’s past his prime. / That actor is past his prime but still acts in movies.
To Put it Another Way: She was a great athlete, though now past her prime. / The old car is past its prime but still works.
7. In your golden years
Meaning: The later part of life, often when people retire.
Samples: Many people travel during their golden years. / Grandma says the golden years are the best time to relax.
To Put it Another Way: They moved to Florida to enjoy their golden years. / He spends his golden years gardening.
8. Young at heart
Meaning: Someone who is old but feels or acts young.
Samples: My grandpa is 75, but he’s young at heart. / She dances every day; she’s really young at heart.
To Put it Another Way: He tells silly jokes because he’s young at heart. / Being young at heart keeps her happy.
9. Getting on in years
Meaning: Starting to become older.
Samples: Our dog is getting on in years and sleeps more now. / That singer is getting on in years but still performs.
To Put it Another Way: My uncle is getting on in years but still bikes to work. / The cat is getting on in years and moves slowly.
10. Wise beyond your years
Meaning: Someone young who thinks or acts like an older person.
Samples: She gives great advice and is wise beyond her years. / That kid is so polite he’s wise beyond his years.
To Put it Another Way: He’s only 10 but talks like he’s wise beyond his years. / She helps others like someone wise beyond her years.
11. To age gracefully
Meaning: To grow older in a calm and respectful way.
Samples: She never worries about wrinkles; she’s aging gracefully. / He’s aging gracefully and enjoying each year.
To Put it Another Way: Grandma dresses nicely and is aging gracefully. / He always smiles and is aging gracefully.
12. The old ball and chain
Meaning: A funny way to refer to a husband or wife, usually older.
Samples: He jokes that his wife is the old ball and chain. / It’s a silly way older couples talk about each other.
To Put it Another Way: He called his wife the old ball and chain, but he was smiling. / They laughed when Grandpa said “the old ball and chain.”
13. A senior moment
Meaning: A brief time when someone forgets something.
Samples: Grandma forgot her glasses and said, “Just a senior moment.” / I walked into the room and forgot why must be a senior moment!
To Put it Another Way: He lost his keys again, another senior moment. / Mom forgot the milk and called it a senior moment.
14. Set in their ways
Meaning: An older person who does not like change.
Samples: Grandpa won’t try a smartphone; he’s set in his ways. / She eats the same breakfast every day because she’s set in her ways.
To Put it Another Way: He always takes the same route set in his ways. / They still use paper maps set in their ways.
15. As old as the hills
Meaning: Something or someone very old.
Samples: That recipe is as old as the hills. / He jokes that he’s as old as the hills.
To Put it Another Way: Grandma’s clock is as old as the hills. / His joke is as old as the hills.
16. Over the years
Meaning: During a long time or many years.
Samples: Over the years, Grandpa has told great stories. / Over the years, their house has changed a lot.
To Put it Another Way: She collected books over the years. / Over the years, he learned how to fix anything.
17. In the twilight years
Meaning: The last part of a person’s life.
Samples: He enjoys peace and quiet in his twilight years. / Grandma writes letters in her twilight years.
To Put it Another Way: They moved to a small town for their twilight years. / In her twilight years, she paints every afternoon.
18. Getting long in the legs
Meaning: Someone is growing older or taller.
Samples: You’re getting long in the legs, just like your dad. / He said his grandson is getting long in the legs.
To Put it Another Way: She used to be tiny, but now she’s long in the legs. / He’s grown so much, long in the legs now.
19. At the ripe old age
Meaning: Reaching an old age with experience.
Samples: He still plays cards at the ripe old age of 90. / At the ripe old age of 85, she started painting.
To Put it Another Way: She learned to swim at the ripe old age of 70. / He tells great stories at the ripe old age of 80.
20. Not as young as I used to be
Meaning: A way to say someone is aging.
Samples: After mowing the lawn, Dad said, “I’m not as young as I used to be.” / Grandma laughed, “I’m not as young as I used to be,” after dancing.
To Put it Another Way: He groaned and said, “Not as young as I used to be.” / She walked slowly and said, “Not as young as I used to be.”
21. Second childhood
Meaning: Older age when a person becomes childlike again.
Samples: Grandpa watches cartoons; he’s in his second childhood. / Some say retirement feels like a second childhood.
To Put it Another Way: He plays with toy trains again, like a second childhood. / Her second childhood is full of fun and naps.
22. A gray area
Meaning: Something unclear, often about age or ability.
Samples: Deciding when to stop driving can be a gray area. / Her memory is fine, but sometimes it’s a gray area.
To Put it Another Way: Retirement rules are often a gray area. / It’s a gray area if he needs help or not.
23. Older and wiser
Meaning: Someone has learned from experience.
Samples: She doesn’t rush anymore; she’s older and wiser. / He made better choices now that he’s older and wiser.
To Put it Another Way: I don’t argue over little things older and wiser. / They say he’s older and wiser now.
24. Still got it
Meaning: Someone who is older but still talented or skilled.
Samples: Grandma danced and everyone said, “She’s still got it!” / He made the winning shot; he’s still got it.
To Put it Another Way: Even at 70, he’s still got it on the basketball court. / She played the piano fast; she’s still got it.
25. Born yesterday
Meaning: Someone is not as new or young as others think.
Samples: Don’t fool Grandpa; he wasn’t born yesterday. / She said, “I may be old, but I wasn’t born yesterday.”
To Put it Another Way: He caught the lie; he wasn’t born yesterday. / She smiled and said, “I wasn’t born yesterday.”
26. Carry your age well
Meaning: Someone looks or acts younger than their age.
Samples: He’s 65 but carries his age well. / People say she carries her age well.
To Put it Another Way: Even with gray hair, she carries her age well. / He looks young and really carries his age well.
27. Not getting any younger
Meaning: A reminder that time is passing.
Samples: “Let’s go hiking; we’re not getting any younger,” said Dad. / She laughed and said, “We better try it now; we’re not getting any younger.”
To Put it Another Way: They bought a camper; they’re not getting any younger. / He said, “Let’s eat cake now; we’re not getting any younger!”
28. Put out to pasture
Meaning: Retired or no longer working.
Samples: After 40 years, the teacher was put out to pasture. / The old tractor was put out to pasture behind the barn.
To Put it Another Way: Grandpa jokes that he’s been put out to pasture. / They put the dog out to pasture after many years of work.
29. Time has caught up
Meaning: Someone has aged or slowed down.
Samples: He can’t run like before; time has caught up. / She has more gray hair; time has caught up.
To Put it Another Way: Time has caught up with that old bike. / He sleeps more now; time has caught up.
30. Not a day over
Meaning: A polite or funny way to guess someone’s age.
Samples: “You’re not a day over 40,” said her friend. / “Not a day over 21,” he joked at the party.
To Put it Another Way: She said, “Not a day over 30,” with a smile. / He laughed, “Not a day over 25!”
Find the Topics: Idioms for Age
Last Friday was the school’s big spring dance. Mia’s grandpa offered to drive her. He said, “Even though I’m getting up there in years, I still remember my school dances.” He smiled and added, “I may be long in the tooth, but I still have the moves!”
At the dance, Mia saw her teacher helping set up the punch table. “You’re not a student anymore, but you’re young at heart,” Mia joked. Her teacher laughed. “I may be no spring chicken, but I do enjoy a good party.”
Later, Mia’s friend Jenna said, “My dad dropped me off. He said he’s not as young as he used to be and would rather stay home and watch TV.” Just then, the music changed. Mia and Jenna both cheered, “Let’s go dance, we’re not getting any younger!”
Mia’s grandpa was waiting outside when the dance ended. “How was it?” he asked. Mia said, “Great! The music, the lights, everything. You’d love it.” He laughed and said, “Maybe next time, if I’m still aging gracefully.”
Mia smiled and said, “You’ll be fine. You’re older and wiser, remember?”
Task:
Underline or list all 8 idioms about age you find in this passage.
Answer Key
- Getting up there in years
- Long in the tooth
- Young at heart
- No spring chicken
- Not as young as he used to be
- Not getting any younger
- Aging gracefully
- Older and wiser
Conclusion
Idioms about age help people talk about growing older in fun and kind ways. They show different feelings about age and how life changes. Learning these sayings can help you understand others better and speak about age with respect. Whether someone is young at heart or getting up there in years, these idioms make talking about age easier and more interesting.
