Long in the Tooth Meaning, Origin and Examples

Last updated on October 4, 2024 by Liam Daniel

What does the idiom “Long in the Tooth” mean? Idioms are a type of figurative phrase that has been used in speech for many years to convey thoughts and feelings. In this reference, you will find the meaning of the phrase, the humble beginnings of its popular usage, examples of how to use the phrase properly in conversations or statements, and other ways to literally express the same meaning.

“Long in the Tooth” Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

  • The phrase “long in the tooth” means someone or something is getting old or outdated. It originated from the fact that a horse’s teeth continue to grow with age, so an older horse would have longer teeth. The phrase is often used to refer to people, animals, or things that are showing signs of aging or being past their prime.
Long in the Tooth
Long in the Tooth – Created by 7ESL

Long in the Tooth Meaning

The phrase “long in the tooth” is an idiomatic expression that means someone or something is old or aging. It suggests that the individual or object in question has had a long life, often with an implication that they may be past their prime or not as youthful as they once were. The origin of this phrase comes from the observation that as horses age, their gums recede, making their teeth appear longer.

Examples:

  • “I love that old car, but it’s getting a bit long in the tooth; it might be time for an upgrade.”
  • “He’s a great player, but at 35, he’s starting to feel a little long in the tooth for professional sports.”

Origin of This Idioms

This phrase, believe it or not, originated from horses. As horses age, their teeth get longer and it is possible to tell the horse’s age by how long his/her teeth are. The first time this phrase was seen in print was in a newspaper from 1889 in response to someone trying to sell their 7 year old horse and a comment left declared the horse to be 11 or 12 actually because of how long in the tooth the horse was.

Usage of “Long in the Tooth”

Referring to a person:

  • “He’s a bit long in the tooth to be playing professional football, but he still loves the game.”

Describing an outdated item:

  • “This computer is getting long in the tooth; I think it’s time for an upgrade.”

In a humorous conversation:

  • “I’m feeling a little long in the tooth for these late-night parties!”

Talking about technology:

  • “That smartphone model is a bit long in the tooth now; there are much better options available.”

Related Terms to “Long in the Tooth”

  • Aged – having lived for a long time; old.
  • Old-fashioned – out of date; no longer in style or use.
  • Timeworn – worn out or aged due to the passage of time.
  • Senior – older in age; often used to refer to elderly individuals.
  • Mature – fully developed or grown; can imply age.
  • Advanced in years – an expression indicating someone is older.
  • Over the hill – past the prime of life; aging.
  • Rusty – less skilled or competent due to age or lack of use.
  • Past one’s prime – having passed the most active or successful period of life.
  • Weathered – showing signs of aging, often due to exposure to the elements.

Other Ways to Say the Term

As is the case with most idioms, there are more direct ways to convey the same meaning of this phrase. For example you could say it is old, he/she is older, he/she is aging or it is obsolete.

“Long in the Tooth” synonyms list:

  • Old
  • Elderly
  • Too old
  • Older
  • Aging
  • Obsolete
  • Old fashioned
  • Out of date
  • Over the hill

“Long in the Tooth” Examples

Examples in Statements

An advertisement on television.

  • “If your washer or dryer is getting a bit long in the tooth, then come on down and shop with us today. We are sure to have something you will like to replace it.”

A quarterback speaking about his retirement.

  • “It is just time for me to hang up my jersey and my sneakers. I am getting a bit long in the tooth to play this young man’s game.”

Examples in Conversation

A conversation between two sisters.

  • Sister 1: I think dad may be getting a little senile and forgetful.
  • Sister 2: Well, he is a bit long in the tooth.

A conversation between a husband and wife.

  • Husband: What did you do today?
  • Wife: Well, I was going to bake you a nice apple pie for dessert after dinner, but the over won’t heat up. It is a bit long in the tooth. We definitely need to replace it.

More useful examples:

  • He’s a bit long in the tooth to be wearing jeans, don’t you think?
  • He’s getting a bit long in the tooth to be playing football.
  • I am too long in the tooth to take this stressful job.
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