Idioms About Age and Youth

Expressions Related to Age

• Spring chicken: Refers to someone young or youthful, often used to highlight someone’s energy or inexperience.
• Young blood: Indicates new, youthful individuals who bring fresh ideas or energy, often in reference to organizations or groups needing revitalization.
• At {one's} mother's knee: Suggests being taught or influenced by one's mother during childhood, often used to denote early lessons or values learned in life.
• Knee-high to a grasshopper: Describes someone as being very young or small, commonly used to evoke a sense of nostalgia.
• Salad days: Refers to a period of youthful innocence or carefree experiences, representing a time when one was less burdened by responsibilities.

Age-Related Phrases

• On the (other|wrong) side of {num}: Indicates someone is past a certain age, often implying that they are no longer in their prime.
• Ripe old age: Signifies reaching a significantly advanced age, often with a connotation of positive attributes like wisdom or fulfillment.
• (As|) old as the hills: Describes something very old or someone who is ancient, often used humorously or to denote longevity.
• Long in the tooth: Refers to someone who is older, often suggesting that age has brought experience or signs of wear.
• Hale and hearty: Describes someone in good health, particularly despite their advanced age, indicating vigor and vitality.

Digital Age References

• Silver surfer: A term for older adults who are active internet users, often highlighting their adaptability to new technology.
• Old enough to be {one's} (mother|father): Implies a significant age gap, indicating that the person is much older than someone else, often used humorously or to signify generational differences.
• Over the hill: Suggests someone is past their prime, often used in a light-hearted or joking manner to imply that they are old.

Test your knowledge of common idioms related to age and youth with this fun quiz. From 'spring chicken' to 'over the hill,' discover how language reflects our perceptions of youth and aging. Perfect for language enthusiasts and those looking to expand their idiomatic expressions.