People use different ways to talk about age. Sometimes they say the exact number. Other times, they use expressions that give a clearer idea of how someone feels or acts. These are called idioms. Idioms help describe things like growing older, being young, or feeling a certain way because of age.
In this article, you will learn idioms that people use to talk about age in everyday life. Each one comes with a meaning, examples, and a way to say it more directly. These phrases can help you understand what others mean and also make your own speaking and writing more interesting.
Idioms for Age
1. Over the hill
Meaning: Someone who is getting old or past their prime.
Example: My uncle says he’s over the hill because he can’t run like he used to. / Dad jokes that he’s over the hill every time his back hurts.
Put Differently: He feels older now and can’t do everything he did before. / She thinks she’s past her best years.
2. No spring chicken
Meaning: A person who is not young anymore.
Example: Grandma says she’s no spring chicken but still loves to dance. / My teacher laughed and said she’s no spring chicken when we asked her age.
Put Differently: She isn’t very young anymore. / He’s getting older.
3. Age before beauty
Meaning: A playful way to let an older person go first.
Example: I opened the door and said “age before beauty” to let Grandpa walk in first. / My brother teased me with “age before beauty” when we lined up for cake.
Put Differently: You can go first because you’re older. / I’ll let the older person go ahead.
4. Young at heart
Meaning: Someone who may be older but still feels or acts young.
Example: Nana is 70 but still plays video games she’s young at heart. / My neighbor is young at heart and roller skates with us.
Put Differently: Even though she’s old, she still does fun things. / He doesn’t act like he’s old.
5. Long in the tooth
Meaning: Someone who is quite old.
Example: Our dog is getting long in the tooth and naps all day. / That actor is long in the tooth but still stars in movies.
Put Differently: He’s pretty old now. / She’s been around for a long time.
6. In the prime of life
Meaning: At the best or strongest time in one’s life.
Example: Mom says she was in the prime of life when she ran marathons. / He’s in the prime of life and full of energy.
Put Differently: She felt her best back then. / He’s strong and healthy now.
7. Getting on in years
Meaning: Becoming older.
Example: My cat is getting on in years and doesn’t chase toys anymore. / Grandpa is getting on in years and needs more rest.
Put Differently: He’s getting older. / She’s not young anymore.
8. As old as the hills
Meaning: Very old.
Example: That phone looks as old as the hills. / Grandpa tells stories that are as old as the hills.
Put Differently: It’s super old. / That’s been around forever.
9. Older and wiser
Meaning: Smarter because of life experience.
Example: I made a better choice this time older and wiser, I guess. / She gave great advice because she’s older and wiser.
Put Differently: I learned from my mistakes. / She knows more because she’s lived longer.
10. In one’s golden years
Meaning: The time after retirement when someone is older.
Example: My grandparents are enjoying their golden years traveling. / In his golden years, he started painting.
Put Differently: He’s spending his time doing what he loves after retiring. / They’re older now and enjoying life.
11. Of a certain age
Meaning: A polite way to say someone is not young.
Example: That singer is of a certain age but still performs. / She’s of a certain age but doesn’t act it.
Put Differently:She’s not really young. / He’s an older adult.
12. Age is just a number
Meaning: How old someone is doesn’t always matter.
Example: My aunt ran her first race at 60. Age is just a number. / He learned to swim at 70. Age is just a number.
Put Differently: You can do things no matter how old you are. / Being older doesn’t stop you.
13. The older, the wiser
Meaning: Older people usually have more knowledge.
Example: I asked Grandma for advice the older, the wiser. / He solved the problem fast. The older, the wiser.
Put Differently: Older people often know more. ./ With age comes good thinking.
14. Not born yesterday
Meaning: Smart from experience, not easy to fool.
Example: Mom said, “I wasn’t born yesterday” when we tried to trick her. / He caught my lie fast. He wasn’t born yesterday.
Put Differently: You can’t fool her. / He’s too smart for that.
15. Past one’s prime
Meaning: Not as strong or active as before.
Example: That baseball player is past his prime now. / I don’t run like I used to I’m past my prime.
Put Differently: I’m not as fast anymore. / He isn’t at his best now.
16. Grey around the temples
Meaning: Starting to show signs of aging.
Example: Dad’s getting grey around the temples. / She noticed grey around the temples in the mirror.
Put Differently: His hair is starting to turn grey. / She’s beginning to look older.
17. In one’s twilight years
Meaning: The final years of life.
Example: In her twilight years, she wrote stories for kids. / He moved to a quiet place in his twilight years.
Put Differently: He’s in the last stage of his life. / She’s spending her last years peacefully.
18. From cradle to grave
Meaning: All of a person’s life.
Example: He lived in that town from cradle to grave. / That company took care of workers from cradle to grave.
Put Differently: From birth to death. / For their whole life.
19. Not getting any younger
Meaning: A reminder that time is passing.
Example: Let’s take that trip we’re not getting any younger. She said, “I’ll go now. / I’m not getting any younger.”
Put Differently: Time is going by. / We should do it before we get too old.
20. Aged like fine wine
Meaning: Someone who gets better with age.
Example: That actor aged like fine wine he’s still great. / My aunt aged like fine wine and looks amazing.
Put Differently: She looks better as she gets older. / He became more impressive over time.
21. Act your age
Meaning: Behave in a way that is right for your age.
Example: Mom told my brother to act his age when he threw a tantrum. / “You’re too old to act like that. Act your age,” said the teacher.
Put Differently: Be more mature. / Stop acting younger than you are.
22. As old as time
Meaning: Something very old.
Example: That story is as old as time. / Some traditions are as old as time.
Put Differently: It’s been around forever. / People have done that for a long time.
23. An old soul
Meaning: A young person who acts very wise or mature.
Example: My cousin is only ten, but she’s an old soul. / He’s quiet and thoughtful, really an old soul.
Put Differently: She seems older in the way she thinks. / He’s young but wise.
24. Rob the cradle
Meaning: When an older person dates or marries someone much younger.
Example: People joked he robbed the cradle by dating someone in her twenties. / My uncle laughed, saying he robbed the cradle when he met his wife.
Put Differently: He’s a lot older than the person he’s with. / There’s a big age difference.
25. Older than dirt
Meaning: A funny way to say someone or something is very old.
Example:That phone looks older than dirt. / My grandpa jokes that he’s older than dirt.
Put Differently: Really, really old. / It’s been around forever.
26. Still wet behind the ears
Meaning: Someone who is young or inexperienced.
Example: The new kid is still wet behind the ears and learning the rules. / Don’t expect her to know everything she’s still wet behind the ears.
Put Differently: He’s new at this. / She’s not experienced yet.
27. Young blood
Meaning: New and energetic people.
Example: The team needs some young blood to bring fresh ideas. / They hired young blood to help with the new project.
Put Differently: They needed new people with energy. / A younger person joined to help.
28. Age gracefully
Meaning: To grow older in a healthy and calm way.
Example: She’s aging gracefully and always looks peaceful. / He stays active and is aging gracefully.
Put Differently: She’s getting older in a nice way. / He’s healthy and calm with age.
29. Have one foot in the grave
Meaning: Very close to dying or extremely old (used as a joke).
Example: He joked that he had one foot in the grave after turning 90. / “I’m not that old!” she said when someone teased her about having one foot in the grave.
Put Differently: He’s very old. / People say he’s almost at the end of life.
30. At the ripe old age
Meaning: Reaching an old age, often proudly.
Example: She started painting at the ripe old age of 80. / He ran a race at the ripe old age of 75.
Put Differently: She did something new even though she was old. / He stayed active in his old age.
31. Getting up there in years
Meaning: Becoming older.
Example: Our teacher is getting up there in years, but still loves her job. / My dog is getting up there in years and sleeps more now.
Put Differently: She’s getting older. / He’s not as young anymore.
32. Set in one’s ways
Meaning: Not open to change, often because of age.
Example: Grandpa won’t try new food; he’s set in his ways. / She won’t switch her schedule. She’s set in her ways.
Put Differently: He likes things the way they’ve always been. / She doesn’t like to change.
33. Not a day over (number)
Meaning: A funny way to say someone looks young.
Example: “You don’t look a day over 30,” Dad told Mom on her birthday. / She said I didn’t look a day over 10.
Put Differently: You look younger than your age. / You seem like you’re still very young.
34. Feel one’s age
Meaning: To notice you’re not as young or energetic anymore.
Example: After hiking, I really felt my age. / He said he felt his age after playing with the kids all day.
Put Differently: I got tired faster because I’m older. / I’m not as strong as I used to be.
35. In the bloom of youth
Meaning: Someone who is young and full of life.
Example: She was in the bloom of youth and loved dancing. / He’s in the bloom of youth and full of dreams.
Put Differently: She’s young and full of energy. / He’s just starting out in life.
36. Coming of age
Meaning: Reaching an age where one becomes an adult.
Example: Turning 18 is a coming-of-age moment for many kids. / She had a big party to celebrate her coming of age.
Put Differently: She became an adult. / It was an important birthday.
37. As old as your tongue and a little older than your teeth
Meaning: A funny way to avoid saying your age.
Example: When I asked Grandpa how old he was, he said, “As old as my tongue and a little older than my teeth.”. / She smiled and used that silly line when we asked her age.
Put Differently: I’m not saying how old I am. / That’s just a fun way to keep it a secret.
38. Push (a certain age)
Meaning: Getting close to a certain age.
Example: She’s pushing 40 but still plays basketball. / He’s pushing 70 but goes hiking every weekend.
Put Differently: He’s almost 70. / She’s getting close to that age.
39. At death’s door
Meaning: Very sick or near dying (often said jokingly).
Example: I had such a bad cold, I felt like I was at death’s door. / He was so tired he said he was at death’s door.
Put Differently: I felt super sick. / He felt really weak.
40. Show one’s age
Meaning: To look or act older than before.
Example: After a long week, Mom started to show her age. / He shows his age when he talks about old TV shows.
Put Differently: She looked a little tired and older. / He reminded us he’s not young anymore.
“Rewrite the Sentence “ Activity: Idioms for Age
Below are 10 simple sentences about age. Each one says something about being young, getting older, or growing up. Read each sentence and rewrite it using one of the idioms for age you learned.
Sentences to Rewrite
- My grandpa can’t lift heavy things like he used to.
- Aunt Lisa still goes hiking even though she’s 65.
- Dad said he’s too old to play basketball all day.
- My teacher said she isn’t as young as she once was.
- Grandma always gives good advice because she has lived a long time.
- My cousin is only ten, but he acts very grownup.
- Uncle Ray said he’s close to turning 50.
- My friend is new at this and doesn’t know how it works yet.
- After gym class, Mom said she felt tired and old.
- Dad joked that he was born a long time ago.
Answer Key
- My grandpa is past his prime and can’t lift heavy things like he used to.
- Aunt Lisa is young at heart and still goes hiking at 65.
- Dad said he’s over the hill and can’t play basketball all day.
- My teacher said she’s getting on in years.
- Grandma is older and wiser, so she gives good advice.
- My cousin is an old soul even though he’s only ten.
- Uncle Ray said he’s pushing 50.
- My friend is still wet behind the ears and doesn’t know how it works yet.
- After gym class, Mom said she felt her age.
- Dad joked that he’s older than dirt.
Conclusion
Idioms about age help us talk about growing older in fun and clever ways. They can describe someone young, someone old, or even how people feel at different times in life. These phrases are often used in daily conversations, stories, or jokes.
By learning these idioms, you can better understand what others mean and also use them in your own writing or speech. They make language more interesting and help share ideas about age in a simple, creative way.
