long in the tooth

Idioms  

1. 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]

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Example Sentences

Also, the capital spending cycle is long in the tooth.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

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 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

And she wasn't long in the tooth, or very ugly, or vulgar, or anything; but somehow I couldn't stand it.

From Lippincott's Magazine Of Popular Literature And Science Old Series, Vol. 36—New Series, Vol. 10, July 1885 by Various