Idioms and Expressions About Age

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Questions and Answers

What does the idiom 'no spring chicken' mean?

Young and inexperienced

Still in their youth

Extremely old

No longer young (correct)

Which expression means to behave in a manner suitable for one’s age?

Acting his age (correct)

Living in the past

Acting like a kid

Behaving out of character

What does 'wet behind the ears' imply about a person?

Young and inexperienced (correct)

Cautious and careful

Old and wise

Experienced

What does the phrase 'getting on in years' mean?

Getting old Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to reach 'the ripe old age'?

Very old age Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic best describes Zoe based on her behavior?

She is annoyingly proud of her intelligence. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following idioms suggests someone is out of touch due to age?

Over the hill Signup and view all the answers

Which idiom best describes a person who prefers solitude and independence?

Lone wolf Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if someone is described as 'the salt of the earth'?

They are kind, honest, and unpretentious. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'twilight years' refer to?

The last years of someone's life Signup and view all the answers

If someone is always calm and relaxed under pressure, how might they be described?

Cool as a cucumber Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase indicates a celebration of reaching adulthood?

Coming of age Signup and view all the answers

What does the idiom 'her bark is worse than her bite' imply about a person?

They appear threatening but are actually harmless. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean when someone is described as a 'fair-weather friend'?

A friend who only helps during good times Signup and view all the answers

What does 'drifted apart' signify in a relationship?

Slowly becoming less friendly or close Signup and view all the answers

What does being 'a chip off the old block' imply?

Being very similar to someone in your family Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'hit it off' mean?

To develop a friendship quickly Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by saying 'curly hair runs in our family'?

Curly hair is a trait that is passed down through generations Signup and view all the answers

In what context would you describe someone as being 'skin and bones'?

Being excessively thin Signup and view all the answers

What does 'getting thin on top' refer to regarding appearance?

Having a receding hairline Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'black sheep of the family' mean?

Someone who brings shame to the family Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean when someone is described as having 'blue blood'?

They come from a wealthy or aristocratic background. Signup and view all the answers

What does it imply if a person is said to be 'dressed the part' for an occasion?

They are dressed appropriately for the event. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic is highlighted when saying someone is 'as bold as brass'?

They are very confident. Signup and view all the answers

If someone 'never has a hair out of place', what can be inferred about them?

They are extremely tidy and well-groomed. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean when someone is referred to as a 'pillar of the community'?

They are a respected and well-involved member of the community. Signup and view all the answers

What does it signify if someone is described as 'a barrel of laughs'?

They are fun and entertaining. Signup and view all the answers

If someone looks like 'a drowned rat', what has likely happened to them?

They are very wet from rain or water. Signup and view all the answers

How would one interpret someone with a 'selfish streak'?

They often think of themselves before others. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Idioms About Age

"No spring chicken" is used to describe someone who is no longer young.
"Wet behind the ears" indicates that someone is young and inexperienced.
"Getting on in years" implies that someone is getting old.
"Old as the hills" describes someone who is extremely old.
"Bright young things" refers to young, enthusiastic, fashionable, or ambitious people.
"Bridge the generation gap" means to appeal to people of all ages.

Expressions with "Age"

"Ripe old age" means a very old age.
"Act your age" means to behave in a way appropriate to your age.
"Tender age" describes a very young age.
"Feel your age" indicates that you are conscious of being older.
"Prime of your life" represents a time when someone is at their best and is healthy and successful.
"Knee-high to a grasshopper" describes someone who is very young.
"Too long in the tooth" describes someone who is old.
"Twilight years" refer to the last years of someone's life.
"Over the hill" indicates that someone is old and past their best years.
"Young at heart" means to be youthful, despite being old.
"Awkward age" describes the period of adolescence, when people feel very self-conscious.
"Come of age" means to reach maturity and have the same legal rights as adults.
"Great age" indicates a very old age.

Friendship

"Losing touch with" someone means no longer being in contact with them.
A "soulmate" is the perfect person to be a friend or partner.
"Keep in touch" means to continue to be in contact with someone.
A "mutual friend" of two people is a shared friend.
"Get on like a house on fire" indicates getting along extremely well and having a very good relationship.
"Drift apart" means to slowly become less friendly or close to someone.
"Strike up a friendship" means to become friends with someone.
"Hit it off" means to become friends very quickly.
A "fair-weather friend" is a friend who deserts you when you have difficulties.
"Getting off on the wrong foot" signifies starting a relationship badly.

Family

"Chip off the old block" describes someone who is very similar to someone in their family.
To "start a family" means to have children.
A "family friend" is someone who has known your family for some time.
"Immediate family" refers to close family, such as parents, sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters.
The "black sheep of the family" is someone who brings shame to the family or is the odd one out.
"Bring up children" refers to teaching a child how to behave.
A "family heirloom" is an object that has been passed down through the generations of a family.
"Extended family" includes wider family members, such as grandparents, cousins, nephews, and nieces.
A "close-knit family" is a loyal and supportive family.
"Runs in the family" indicates that something is a common feature in your family.

Appearance

"Bear a striking resemblance" means to look extremely similar to someone.
"Like two peas in a pod" describes people who are extremely similar to each other.
"The spitting image" implies that someone is almost identical to another person.
"All skin and bones" describes someone who is too thin.
"Thin on top" refers to someone who is going bald.
"Five o'clock shadow" is the beginning of a beard.
When someone "looks like they've seen a ghost," they look very scared or shocked.
"Look like a drowned rat" means to be very wet.
"Look like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth" indicates someone who seems innocent and like they wouldn't do anything bad, even though they might be naughty.
"Keeping up appearances" means pretending that things are going well, even if they are not.

Style and Dress

"Look the part" means to be dressed in the right way for a particular situation or role.
"Immaculately groomed" describes someone who is elegantly dressed and well-presented.
"Look like a million bucks" means to look extremely glamorous.
"Never has a hair out of place" means someone is extremely neat and well-groomed.

Background, Advantage, and Disadvantage

"Blue blood" indicates someone who is descended from important people or aristocracy.
A "pillar of the community" is an important or well-respected person.
"From the wrong side of the tracks" implies that someone is from the wrong social background or part of town.
"Born with a silver spoon in his mouth" means someone was born into a wealthy family.
A "highflier" is a very talented and successful person.
"Didn't have two pennies to rub together" means someone was very poor.

Describing Personality

A person with a "vivid imagination" has an ability to think of exciting images and ideas.
"Fuddy-duddy" refers to someone who unwilling to try new things.
A "selfish streak" is a tendency to be selfish.
"Two-faced" means being insincere or hypocritical.
"As bold as brass" describes someone who is very confident.
"Average Joe" represents a stereotypical man who has simple tastes.
Someone who is "a barrel of laughs" is a fun person or creates a fun situation.
"Too smart for your own good" indicates that someone is annoyingly proud of their intelligence or knowledge.
"Crybaby" refers to someone who cries a lot without good reason.
"Down to earth" means to be practical and unpretentious.

Idioms Using Vocabulary About Animals

"Wouldn't hurt a fly" indicates that someone is completely harmless.
A "social butterfly" is a very sociable person.
"A lone wolf" is someone who prefers to live or work alone.
Someone who "wouldn't say boo to a goose" is very timid and nervous.
"Bark is worse than her bite" means that someone is not as scary as they seem.
A "dark horse" is someone who hides a surprising skill or quality.

Idioms Using Vocabulary About Food

A "good egg" is an honest, reliable, or considerate person.
A "tough cookie" is determined and physically or emotionally strong.
"The salt of the earth" describes someone who is kind, honest, and unpretentious.
Someone who is "as cool as a cucumber" is calm and relaxed.

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Description

Test your knowledge on idioms and expressions related to age in this engaging quiz. Discover how language reflects our perceptions of youth and old age through various sayings. Challenge yourself and see how many you can get right!