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]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

long in the tooth

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

Plenty of analysts have pointed out that this bull market is getting long in the tooth.

From Barron's ● Jan. 16, 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

Instead a tricky pitch, smart bowling from an Australian attack long in the tooth, and the odd daft shot proved to be West Indies' undoing.

From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2025

There are Lorton and Swanton--my lord can do as he pleases with them, and they'll go from you; and your cousin Meg, ugly and long in the tooth as she is, shall have them!

From The Castle Inn by Weyman, Stanley John