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. [

What does it mean when you are long in the tooth?

If you describe someone as long in the tooth, you are saying unkindly or humorously that they are old or getting old.

Where did the saying long in the tooth come from?

Experts suggest that it relates back to horses. While horse teeth wear down they continue to grow even as the horse ages. It's these changes and characteristics of the teeth that make it possible to estimate a horse's age.

What does in the teeth of something mean?

If you do something in the teeth of a difficulty or danger, you do it in spite of the difficulty or danger.

What does the idiom armed to the teeth mean?

Definition of armed to the teeth

: carrying many weapons The police were armed to the teeth.

Long in the Tooth Meaning - Idiom Examples and Origin

24 related questions found

What does a wet blanket mean idiom?

: one that quenches or dampens enthusiasm or pleasure.

What does a bad egg mean?

: someone who does bad things He was dishonest, but he was the only bad egg in the group.

What is the meaning of the idiom to cry wolf?

to keep saying that there is a problem when there is not, with the result that people do not believe you when there really is a problem. Workers in the industry have cried wolf once too often. Synonyms and related words. To tell lies and deceive people.

What is mealy mouth?

avoiding the use of direct and plain language, as from timidity, excessive delicacy, or hypocrisy; inclined to mince words; insincere, devious, or compromising: Our local government is filled with mealy-mouthed politicians and self-serving bureaucrats.

What does blood mean in cold?

In a purposely ruthless and unfeeling manner, as in The whole family was murdered in cold blood. This expression alludes to the notion that blood is the seat of emotion and is hot in passion and cold in calm. The term therefore means not “in the heat of passion,” but “in a calculated, deliberate manner.” [ Late 1500s]

Can't hold a candle to you meaning?

An expression describing a person or thing that is distinctly inferior to someone or something else: “Senator Nelson is extremely knowledgeable, but as a speaker, he can't hold a candle to Senator Delano.”

What is the meaning get one's feet wet?

: to begin doing a new job, activity, etc., in usually a slow and simple way in order to become more familiar with it She got her feet wet at her new job by doing some simple filing tasks.

What is the meaning of idiom loose cannon?

A loose cannon is defined as "a dangerously uncontrollable person or thing." It is a phrase that comes up often during election cycles, as candidates try to paint each other as rash and impulsive decision-makers.

Do humans get long in the tooth?

While this saying has become normalized in modern speech, the truth is that human teeth do not continue growing for all of one's life. What is true is that the teeth have a tendency to appear longer over the years. While teeth can appear longer, they are not actually growing in size.

How can I fix my long tooth?

Treatment

1. Orthodontics. Orthodontics can help straighten your teeth and expand your jaw if necessary. ...
2. Teeth shaving. Another cosmetic option for those with macrodontia is to try teeth shaving. ...
3. Teeth removal. Removing some teeth can help space out existing teeth in the mouth.

Do gums recede with age?

Gum tissue naturally recedes with age, so the soft root tissue becomes exposed. In addition, adults who grew up before the advent of fluoride products and dental sealants often have fillings from childhood and adolescence that eventually break down.

What soft spoken means?

: having a gentle, quiet voice or manner.

What does mince words mean?

DEFINITIONS1. to be careful about what you say in order to be polite or not offend someone. He's never been the kind of politician to mince words.

What is weasel word examples?

Examples include the phrases "some people say", "most people think", and "researchers believe." Using weasel words may allow one to later deny any specific meaning if the statement is challenged, because the statement was never specific in the first place.

What does picking holes mean?

to try and make an idea or piece of work seem bad by finding all the things that are wrong or missing. It was almost impossible to pick holes in his argument. Synonyms and related words. To criticize, accuse or blame.

What does it mean to have an AXE to grind?

phrase. If someone has an axe to grind, they are doing something for selfish reasons. [informal, disapproval] He seems like a decent bloke and I've got no axe to grind with him. [ + with]

What does play the second fiddle mean?

: one that plays a supporting or subservient role.

What does the phrase below the belt mean?

To say something that is often too personal, usually irrelevant, and always unfair: “To remind reformed alcoholics of their drinking problem is to hit below the belt.” The expression comes from boxing, in which it is illegal to hit an opponent below the belt.

What does the idiom the big cheese mean?

The big cheese is the person who holds the most power in any situation. If you overhear someone at work describe you as "the big cheese," it means that he thinks of you as the most important person in the office. You might also call someone important the head honcho or the top dog.

What means bad apple?

: someone who creates problems or causes trouble for others specifically : a member of a group whose behavior reflects poorly on or negatively affects or influences the remainder of the group The best way to deal with bad apples is to take them out of the group as quickly as possible. —