The Most Helpful Idioms With Meaning and Examples. Topic – Old People

Old as the hills: Extremely old or ancient. Example: The traditions in this village are old as the hills, passed down through generations.

Gray hair wisdom: The knowledge and insight that come with age. Example: His gray hair wisdom made him the go-to person for advice in the community.

Aged like fine wine: Improving or becoming more valuable with age. Example: Despite being in her 80s, her artistic skills have aged like fine wine.

Old flames: Past romantic relationships or interests. Example: In her old age, she fondly recalled old flames and youthful adventures.

Out to pasture: Retired or no longer actively involved in work. Example: After decades of service, he finally went out to pasture and enjoyed a peaceful retirement.

Walking encyclopedia: Someone with extensive knowledge in various subjects. Example: Grandpa is a walking encyclopedia, always ready to share interesting facts.

Seen better days: In a less than optimal condition, often due to age. Example: The antique car had seen better days, but it held sentimental value for the owner.

Old school: Something traditional or done in a way reminiscent of the past. Example: She prefers old-school methods of cooking, using family recipes passed down through generations.

Not spring chicken anymore: No longer young; past the prime of youth. Example: Despite not being a spring chicken anymore, he remains active and engaged in hobbies.

Live in a time warp: Behave or have habits that seem outdated or belong to a different era. Example: Grandma seems to live in a time warp, still using a rotary phone and writing letters by hand.

Old hand at something: Very experienced or skilled in a particular activity. Example: She’s an old hand at storytelling, captivating audiences with her tales.

Age before beauty: Allowing someone to go first based on their age rather than beauty. Example: “You can enter first, age before beauty,” she joked, letting her older friend go ahead.

Ride off into the sunset: Retire or leave a situation, typically with a sense of contentment. Example: After a long career, he was ready to ride off into the sunset and enjoy his retirement.

Out of the ark: Extremely old-fashioned or outdated. Example: The computer system at the office is out of the ark; it desperately needs an upgrade.

Old habits die hard: It’s difficult to change longstanding behavior. Example: Despite the health warnings, his old habits die hard, and he continues to smoke.

Old guard: The older, more experienced members of a group or organization. Example: The old guard in the company provided stability and guidance during times of change.

Grey power: The influence and impact older individuals can have, especially in society or politics. Example: The grey power movement advocates for the rights and concerns of senior citizens.

Back in my day: Expressing nostalgia for the past, often with a sense of how things were different. Example: “Back in my day, we didn’t have smartphones; we played outside and used payphones.”

Ripe old age: An advanced age, often associated with wisdom and experience. Example: She lived to a ripe old age, passing on her stories and lessons to the younger generations.

Old wives’ tale: A traditional belief or superstition, often unfounded or outdated. Example: The idea that eating carrots improves eyesight is just an old wives’ tale.

Long in the tooth: Getting old; used to describe someone who is aging. Example: The professor may be long in the tooth, but his lectures are still captivating.

Bite the bullet: Endure a painful or difficult situation with courage. Example: In her old age, she had to bite the bullet and undergo surgery for her health.

Old fogey: An old-fashioned or conservative person. Example: Some see him as an old fogey because he resists adopting new technology.

Old hat: Outdated or no longer in style. Example: Bell-bottom pants are old hat; they were popular in the ’70s.

Ancient mariner: An old person with significant life experiences. Example: The ancient mariner at the nursing home shared captivating stories of adventures long past.

Old salt: An experienced sailor or someone with vast experience. Example: The old salt advised the crew on how to navigate the stormy seas.

Weather the storm: Endure and overcome difficulties or challenges. Example: The elderly couple had weathered the storms of life and remained devoted to each other.

Old man’s beard: A term for lichen that hangs from tree branches, symbolizing age and wisdom. Example: The forest was adorned with old man’s beard, adding a sense of ancient beauty.

Old-timer: A person who has been around for a long time. Example: The old-timer in the community shared anecdotes about the town’s history.

Old hand at the wheel: An experienced and skillful driver. Example: Despite his age, he’s still an old hand at the wheel, navigating the roads with ease.