Sometimes, people say funny phrases when they talk about how old someone is. These sayings are called idioms. Idioms do not always mean what the words sound like. They have a special meaning. For example, if someone says, “He’s over the hill,” they don’t mean the person is on a hill. They mean the person is getting older.
People use these sayings to be fun or polite when they talk about age. Some idioms are used for very young people. Others are used for older people. Learning these phrases can help you understand what others mean. It also makes speaking more fun. In this article, we will look at some age idioms and what they really mean.
Idioms for Age
1. Over the hill
Meaning: Someone who is getting older, usually over 40 or 50.
To Provide an Example: Grandpa says he’s over the hill because his back hurts sometimes. / Mom joked she was over the hill when she forgot where she parked.
Alternative Meaning: Used to talk about someone being past their younger years. / Sometimes means someone is not as fast or strong as before.
2. In the prime of life
Meaning: Someone is at their best age, healthy and strong.
To Provide an Example: Dad is in the prime of life and plays basketball every week. / My teacher runs marathons. She’s in the prime of life.
Alternative Meaning: Often means someone is full of energy and doing well. / Can also mean someone is at their best time in life.
3. No spring chicken
Meaning: Someone who is not very young anymore.
To Provide an Example: Uncle Joe says he’s no spring chicken when he gets tired mowing the lawn. / Grandma laughs and says she’s no spring chicken when she goes to bed early.
Alternative Meaning: Used in a fun way to say someone is older. / Can mean someone needs more rest or moves slower.
4. Long in the tooth
Meaning: Someone who is getting old.
To Provide an Example: That dog is long in the tooth but still loves to play. / My teacher said the book is a bit long in the tooth, but still good.
Alternative Meaning: Used to talk about age in a fun or kind way. / Can also mean something is old but still works.
5. Act your age
Meaning: Telling someone to behave like someone their age should.
To Provide an Example: Mom told my brother to act his age when he made a mess. / The teacher said, “Please act your age” when kids were being too silly.
Alternative Meaning: Can mean someone is acting too young. / Can also mean someone should be more responsible.
6. Age before beauty
Meaning: Letting an older person go first as a way to show respect.
To Provide an Example: Dad opened the door and said, “Age before beauty,” to Grandpa. / My teacher said, “Age before beauty,” when she let the older student go first.
Alternative Meaning: A polite or silly way to talk about someone being older. / Used when someone wants to be kind to an older person.
7. Older and wiser
Meaning: As people get older, they learn more and make better choices.
To Provide an Example: Mom says she’s older and wiser now and makes better decisions. / Grandpa said, “You’ll be older and wiser one day too.”
Alternative Meaning: Means learning from life and growing smarter. / Can also mean someone has learned from mistakes.
8. Over the age limit
Meaning: Too old for something, like a game or ride.
To Provide an Example: I couldn’t ride the kids’ train because I was over the age limit. / My cousin was over the age limit for the toddler play area.
Alternative Meaning: Used when someone is older than the rule allows. / Sometimes means someone is too big or too grown-up.
9. A ripe old age
Meaning: Living a long life.
To Provide an Example: My great-grandma lived to a ripe old age of 95. / Our neighbor’s dog lived to a ripe old age and still liked to chase squirrels.
Alternative Meaning: Means someone lived a full and long life. / Can also mean living happily even when very old.
10. Age is just a number
Meaning: Being old or young doesn’t stop someone from doing things.
To Provide an Example: Grandma dances every weekend and says age is just a number. / Uncle Dan started painting at 60. He said age is just a number.
Alternative Meaning: Means people can try new things at any age. / Also means someone doesn’t let age stop them.
11. As old as the hills
Meaning: Very, very old.
To Provide an Example: That clock is as old as the hills, said Grandma. / My dad said the story was as old as the hills.
Alternative Meaning: Used to describe something or someone very old. / Can also mean something has been around a long time.
12. Young at heart
Meaning: Someone who may be old but feels or acts young.
To Provide an Example: My grandpa is 80 but loves video games. He’s young at heart. / Grandma dances and sings. She’s young at heart.
Alternative Meaning: Means someone still enjoys fun things. / Can also mean being happy and playful no matter the age.
13. Born yesterday
Meaning: Used to say someone is not silly or too young to know better.
To Provide an Example: Dad said, “I wasn’t born yesterday,” when I tried to trick him. / My sister said, “Do you think I was born yesterday?” when I fibbed.
Alternative Meaning: Means someone is smart and not easily fooled. / Used when someone knows more than they show.
14. Wet behind the ears
Meaning: Someone who is very young or new at something.
To Provide an Example: The new kid at soccer is still wet behind the ears. / My cousin just started her job and is still wet behind the ears.
Alternative Meaning: Means someone is still learning. / Can also mean someone is young and needs help.
15. At a tender age
Meaning: Very young, just starting to grow or learn.
To Provide an Example: He started playing piano at a tender age. / She could read at a tender age of four.
Alternative Meaning: Means someone started doing something when very young. / Also means being small and needing care.
16. Over the age of consent
Meaning: Old enough to make their own choices.
To Provide an Example: She is over the age of consent and can decide for herself. / In some states, kids over the age of consent can choose where to live.
Alternative Meaning: Means someone is no longer a child. / Also means they can make some adult choices.
17. Getting on in years
Meaning: Someone is growing older.
To Provide an Example: My dog is getting on in years and sleeps more now. / Grandpa says he’s getting on in years when he forgets things.
Alternative Meaning: A soft way to say someone is aging. / Can also mean needing more rest or help.
18. Age creeps up
Meaning: Getting older without noticing it right away.
To Provide an Example: Mom said age creeps up when she felt tired after running. / Dad said, “Age creeps up on you,” after hurting his knee.
Alternative Meaning: Used when someone suddenly feels older. / Also means aging happens slowly and quietly.
19. Too old to cut the mustard
Meaning: Too old to keep up or do something well.
To Provide an Example: Grandpa said he’s too old to cut the mustard on the football field. / Dad joked he’s too old to cut the mustard when he didn’t catch the ball.
Alternative Meaning: Means someone can’t do something like they used to. / Also means needing help for harder tasks.
20. Past your prime
Meaning: Not as strong, fast, or skilled as before.
To Provide an Example: He was a great runner, but now he’s past his prime. / Mom said she’s past her prime in dance but still enjoys it.
Alternative Meaning: Used to say someone was better at something when younger. / Can also mean someone is not as active anymore.
21. Not getting any younger
Meaning: A funny way to say someone is aging.
To Provide an Example: Dad said, “I’m not getting any younger,” when he needed a nap. / Grandma laughed and said she’s not getting any younger when she forgot her keys.
Alternative Meaning: Means time is going by. / Can also mean now is a good time to do something.
22. Wise beyond their years
Meaning: A young person who thinks and acts like someone older.
To Provide an Example: My friend gives great advice. He’s wise beyond his years. / My sister is only eight, but she’s wise beyond her years.
Alternative Meaning: Means someone young understands big ideas. / Can also mean being very thoughtful.
23. Robbing the cradle
Meaning: Dating someone much younger.
To Provide an Example: People joked Uncle Tim was robbing the cradle when he married someone younger. / Aunt Lisa laughed when she said she was robbing the cradle.
Alternative Meaning: Used in a funny way to talk about big age gaps in couples. / Means one person is much younger than the other.
24. Grey around the temples
Meaning: Someone is getting older and their hair is turning gray.
To Provide an Example: Dad is getting gray around the temples. / The teacher smiled when we noticed he was gray around the temples.
Alternative Meaning: Means someone is starting to show age. / Can also mean someone has wisdom.
25. Young buck
Meaning: A young boy or man who is full of energy.
To Provide an Example: The new kid on the team is a young buck and runs super fast. / My brother is a young buck and never gets tired.
Alternative Meaning: Means someone is young and strong. / Can also mean they are still learning control.
26. Old enough to know better
Meaning: Someone is old enough to understand what is right or wrong.
To Provide an Example: My brother is old enough to know better than to lie. / Dad said, “You’re old enough to know better” when I didn’t clean up.
Alternative Meaning: Means someone should act responsibly. / Also means someone has learned better choices.
27. From the cradle to the grave
Meaning: All through a person’s life, from birth to death.
To Provide an Example: He loved baseball from the cradle to the grave. / She kept her teddy bear from the cradle to the grave.
Alternative Meaning: Means the whole life, beginning to end. / Can also mean a lifelong habit or love.
28. Age gracefully
Meaning: Getting older in a kind and peaceful way.
To Provide an Example: Grandma is aging gracefully with her smile and kind heart. / My teacher says she hopes to age gracefully like her mom.
Alternative Meaning: Means staying happy and kind while getting older. / Also means not trying to hide age.
29. An old soul
Meaning: A young person who seems wise and calm like an older person.
To Provide an Example: My little cousin is quiet and caring. She’s an old soul. / My friend likes old music. He’s an old soul.
Alternative Meaning: Means someone acts older than they are. / Also means someone thinks deeply.
30. Put years on someone
Meaning: Something that makes someone feel older or tired.
To Provide an Example: That big test put years on me, said my sister. / Dad said stress at work puts years on him.
Alternative Meaning: Means something is tiring or stressful. / Also means something makes a person seem older.
31. In one’s golden years
Meaning: The time of life after retirement, often peaceful and calm.
To Provide an Example: Grandma and Grandpa travel in their golden years. / They enjoy reading and gardening in their golden years.
Alternative Meaning: Means the later years of life. / Also means enjoying life after working for many years.
32. At death’s door
Meaning: Someone is very, very sick or near death.
To Provide an Example: He was at death’s door but got better with medicine. / The old cat was at death’s door before the vet helped her.
Alternative Meaning: Used when someone is very ill. / Can also mean someone is very weak.
33. A spring chicken
Meaning: A young and lively person.
To Provide an Example: My baby brother is a spring chicken and always runs around. / Coach says our team is full of spring chickens.
Alternative Meaning: Means someone is very young. / Also means someone full of energy.
34. The bloom of youth
Meaning: The best time when someone is young and fresh.
To Provide an Example: She won a dance contest in the bloom of youth. / He was strong and fast in the bloom of youth.
Alternative Meaning: Means the early years of life. / Can also mean someone looks or feels young.
35. Over the age hill
Meaning: A way to say someone is past middle age.
To Provide an Example: Dad jokes that he’s over the age hill when he stretches. / Uncle Bob said he felt over the age hill after running.
Alternative Meaning: Means someone is older. / Can also mean needing more rest or time.
36. Out of diapers
Meaning: No longer a baby or toddler.
To Provide an Example: My little sister is out of diapers and uses the potty now. / He’s out of diapers and ready for preschool.
Alternative Meaning: Means someone is growing up. / Also means not a baby anymore.
37. Born in another time
Meaning: Someone who acts or thinks like they lived long ago.
To Provide an Example: She likes old songs and says she was born in another time. / He wears old hats and talks like he was born in another time.
Alternative Meaning: Means someone likes things from the past. / Also means they act older than they are.
38. Just a baby
Meaning: Someone is still very young.
To Provide an Example: My cousin is just a baby, only one year old. / The puppy is just a baby and sleeps all day.
Alternative Meaning: Means very small or young. / Can also mean someone needs a lot of care.
39. Over the hill and rolling
Meaning: A funny way to say someone is getting even older.
To Provide an Example: Dad says he’s over the hill and rolling after 50. / Grandpa laughs and says he’s been rolling for years.
Alternative Meaning: Used in a joking way about age. / Means someone is well into older age.
40. Ancient history
Meaning: Something from a long time ago.
To Provide an Example: My parents’ favorite songs are ancient history to me. / She said floppy disks are ancient history.
Alternative Meaning: Means something from the past. / Can also mean something no longer used.
41. Not born yesterday
Meaning: Someone knows what’s going on and can’t be tricked.
To Provide an Example: Mom said she wasn’t born yesterday when I tried to sneak cookies. / He said, “I wasn’t born yesterday,” when we joked with him.
Alternative Meaning: Means someone is smart and knows better. / Also means someone has seen or heard things before.
42. Still wet behind the ears
Meaning: Still very new to something or young.
To Provide an Example: The new kid is still wet behind the ears. / The new puppy is wet behind the ears and learning fast.
Alternative Meaning: Means someone is still learning. / Can also mean very young or fresh.
43. A child at heart
Meaning: An adult who still likes fun things kids enjoy.
To Provide an Example: Mom loves cartoons. She’s a child at heart. / Dad builds LEGO with us. He’s a child at heart.
Alternative Meaning: Means someone is playful. / Can also mean loving joy and games.
44. In diapers
Meaning: Someone is still a baby or very young.
To Provide an Example: He was in diapers when I started school. / She’s still in diapers and learning to talk.
Alternative Meaning: Means very small or still a baby. / Also used to show how young someone is.
45. Of a certain age
Meaning: Used politely to say someone is older.
To Provide an Example: My aunt is of a certain age but still hikes. / He’s of a certain age but loves skateboarding.
Alternative Meaning: A kind way to say someone is not young. / Often used to be respectful.
46. Over-the-hill gang
Meaning: A group of older people who enjoy life.
To Provide an Example: Grandpa calls his golf group the over-the-hill gang. / The over-the-hill gang meets for coffee every morning.
Alternative Meaning: Means older people having fun together. / Also shows age doesn’t stop joy.
47. One foot in the grave
Meaning: Very old or very sick.
To Provide an Example: He joked he had one foot in the grave after yard work. / She laughed and said she had one foot in the grave after walking too much.
Alternative Meaning: Used in fun or serious ways about being weak. / Can also mean very close to the end of life.
48. Old enough to walk to school uphill both ways
Meaning: A silly way to say someone is very old.
To Provide an Example: Grandpa jokes he walked to school uphill both ways. / Dad says that to be funny when talking about his childhood.
Alternative Meaning: Means someone is from long ago. / Often used to tell old stories.
49. The good old days
Meaning: A time in the past that people remember happily.
To Provide an Example: Grandma talks about the good old days when candy cost a penny. / Dad says he loved the good old days when kids played outside more.
Alternative Meaning: Means fun or sweet times from before. / Also means looking back with smiles.
50. Older than dirt
Meaning: A funny way to say someone or something is very old.
To Provide an Example: Uncle Bill says he’s older than dirt when we ask his age. / That computer is older than dirt, said my brother.
Alternative Meaning: Used in a silly way about being very old. / Can also describe really old things.
Trials for Success: Idioms for Age
- My grandma says she’s __________ but still loves to dance at family parties.
- Dad says he wasn’t __________ when I tried to hide the broken glass.
- My little brother is still __________ and learning to talk.
- Grandpa calls his group of old friends the __________ who meet every Sunday.
- My aunt loves cartoons and plays board games she’s a __________
- Mom said she’s __________ when she needed a nap after yard work.
- My great-grandma lived to a __________ and always smiled.
- My big sister is __________ and helps me with my homework.
- Dad said, “__________,” when he let Grandma go first into the restaurant.
- That radio is so old Uncle Joe said it’s __________.
- My cousin is __________ and full of energy at soccer practice.
- After carrying heavy bags, Mom said, “I’m __________ already.”
- Grandpa says he’s __________, but he still plays baseball with us.
- Grandma wears sneakers and laughs a lot she’s __________.
- My baby sister is finally __________ and uses the potty now.
Answer Key
- over the hill
- born yesterday
- in diapers
- over-the-hill gang
- child at heart
- one foot in the grave
- ripe old age
- wise beyond her years
- age before beauty
- older than dirt
- young buck
- age creeps up
- getting on in years
- young at heart
- out of diapers
Conclusion
Idioms about age help people talk about getting older in fun or kind ways. These phrases don’t always mean what the words sound like, but they help us understand feelings about growing up.
When we hear someone say “young at heart” or “over the hill,” we can now know what they mean. Learning these sayings makes talking easier and more interesting. You may even hear them at home, school, or on TV. It’s a simple way to learn about life and how we change with time.
