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# long in the tooth

phrase (idiom, adjective phrase)

«long in the tooth» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

(euphemism, humorous) old, or too old for something.

### In the lessons

Used jokingly about people, animals or things, often by older people about themselves. Comes from horses' gums shrinking with age, so their teeth look longer. Register: humorous, everyday; all regions.

### Examples

- I'm a bit long in the tooth for skateboarding.
- That computer is getting long in the tooth.
- Chat: my dog's long in the tooth but still chases squirrels
- The actor is long in the tooth to play a teenager.
- Grandpa says he's long in the tooth but still beats me at chess.

### Note

It is not about having long teeth. It can sound rude about someone else. Plain word: old.