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Age Idioms
English blogVocabulary

15 Age Idioms

3 min read

Age Idioms

Growing older brings new experiences, memories, and sometimes a few surprises. English speakers use fun idioms to talk about age, whether it’s feeling youthful, noticing the years, or celebrating later life. Below are 15 popular age-related idioms with examples.

Old as the hills

Very, very old.

That castle is old as the hills—it’s been here for centuries.
My grandmother’s stories are old as the hills but still fun to hear.

Over the hill

Past the best time in life; jokingly “too old.”

He just turned fifty, and his friends teased him, “You’re over the hill now!”
Don’t feel over the hill at forty—you’ve got plenty of time.

No spring chicken

Not young anymore.

I’m no spring chicken, so I go to bed early now.
He may seem energetic, but he’s no spring chicken at sixty.

Young at heart

Feeling or acting younger than your real age.

She’s seventy but dances every week—she’s young at heart.
Even though he’s retired, he’s young at heart and loves video games.

Fit as a fiddle

Very healthy and strong.

After his exercise plan, he’s fit as a fiddle.
At eighty-five, my grandpa is still fit as a fiddle.

Long in the tooth

Showing signs of age; old.

That car is getting long in the tooth; maybe it’s time to sell it.
My old computer is long in the tooth but still works.

Golden years

The time after retirement, when life is peaceful and enjoyable.

They travel the world in their golden years.
My parents moved to the beach for their golden years.

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In one’s prime

At the best and strongest time of life.

Athletes are often in their prime in their twenties.
She wrote her best books when she was in her prime.

Age like fine wine

To get better with age.

His singing voice has aged like fine wine over the years.
That painting really ages like fine wine—it looks more beautiful now.

Act your age

Behave in a way suitable for your age.

Stop joking around and act your age, please.
He’s thirty but still likes to play games—sometimes people tell him to act his age.

Senior moment

A brief, funny moment of forgetfulness.

I had a senior moment and forgot where I put my glasses.
Don’t worry—everyone has a senior moment now and then.

Feel your age

To notice you are getting older (tired, sore).

After the hike, I really feel my age.
She felt her age when she needed a nap after shopping all day.

In the bloom of youth

At the best and most attractive time of being young.

The students at university are in the bloom of youth.
She enjoyed life fully in the bloom of youth.

Come of age

To become an adult or reach maturity.

In many countries, you come of age at eighteen.
The novel shows how the hero comes of age during his journey.

Show one’s age

To look or act older than one really is.

This old jacket shows its age with faded colors.
He was very tired today and really showed his age.

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