long in the tooth
1 of 1phrase/ˈlɔŋ ɪn ðə ˈtuθ/
1
describing an individual who has lived for a very long time and is not able to do certain activities due to old age
The idiom "long in the tooth" has its origin in the practice of estimating a horse's age by examining its teeth, as horses' teeth grow longer as they age. Today, it is used figuratively to describe people who are older or show signs of aging. It can refer to a person's physical age or be used metaphorically to describe someone who seems outdated or out of touch, often employed in informal contexts to humorously highlight someone's age or experience.
- The car is getting a bit long in the tooth, but it still runs well.
- Although he's long in the tooth, his experience makes him invaluable to the team.
- That software is long in the tooth and needs an update to stay competitive.
- She may be long in the tooth, but her wisdom and insights are unmatched.
- The house is long in the tooth, but it has a lot of character and charm.