To get too old for something.
Although originally meant as a negative comment about age, in the present day the idiom is used as a flattery for age too but of course very rarely.
He is too long in the tooth to be working with 18 year old paired opposite him in movies.
They could go to the museum since they are too long in the teeth to go to a discotheque.
My grandfather always said that he may be long in the teeth but is has more knowledge about the business than we do. He was very right.
Although long in the tooth now, my granny has some fascinating stories to tell us.
I do not believe Uncle Sid will be able to help with carrying such heavy luggage. He is too long in the tooth to be doing such laborious tasks now.
There is no origin for this idiom
Was this page helpful?
definition
Common phrase that has a specific meaning.