Synonyms

long in the tooth

Idioms

Getting on in years, old, as in Aunt Aggie's a little long in the tooth to be helping us move. This expression alludes to a horse's gums receding with age and making the teeth appear longer. [Mid-1800s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

One sign a hot theme is getting long in the tooth is an extreme divergence between the equal-weighted version of the S&P 500 and the regular, capitalization-weighted index.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

The peak External link year was 2021, meaning those computers are now getting long in the tooth.

From Barron's • Nov. 5, 2025

“The metal’s been overextended and long in the tooth for weeks, so some profit-taking or even a shakeout like this can help to clear out the tourists before a potential next leg higher,” said Koos.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 21, 2025

He took that post despite suggesting months earlier that he was too long in the tooth and it was perhaps time for new blood.

From BBC • Oct. 13, 2024

“Well, well, we all get long in the tooth in time,” said Major Flint charitably.

From Miss Mapp by Benson, E. F. (Edward Frederic)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023