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Long in the Tooth

What Does "Long in the Tooth" Mean?

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"Long in the tooth" is an English idiom. It means "getting older or showing signs of age."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "long in the tooth" used in a sentence:
  • I may be getting long in the tooth, but I've still got some energy left.
  • That car model is a bit long in the tooth; they need a design refresh.
  • Even though he's long in the tooth, he's more active than most young people.
meaning for long in the tooth

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Long in the Tooth" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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