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

Guardiola dismisses the suggestion City have allowed their squad to get too long in the tooth, but this is an ageing group and miles on the clock finally appear to be taking their toll.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2024

George looked at the inventory and decided that the fudge was getting a little long in the tooth.

From Return to Pleasure Island by Doctorow, Cory