ripe old age
An age advanced in years, as in I expect to live to a ripe old age. The adjective ripe here means “fully developed physically and mentally,” but the current use of the idiom usually just signifies a long lifespan. [Second half of 1300s]
QUIZZES
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Visualize yourself passing this quiz on words from Jacqueline Woodson’s exquisite verse novel “Brown Girl Dreaming,” and then take the quiz to prove you can do it! (Because you can.)
Question 1 of 10
What does “barren” mean?
Words nearby ripe old age
rip cord, rip current, ripe, ripen, rip entry, ripe old age, ripe rot, ripidolite, ripieno, rip into, Ripken
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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