10 English Idioms About Age 

1. Coming of Age
If someone has come of age, then they’ve reached adulthood or a certain level of maturity. This
differs across cultures, and there are many ceremonies associated with this across the globe. This
idiom doesn’t necessarily refer to a specific age. Rather, it means the age that you’re considered to
be responsible for yourself.
This idiom is also commonly used to refer to particular styles of films and books that follow the
journey of a young child to adulthood. These are known as “coming-of-age stories.”
A: Hey, have you seen “Stand By Me?”
B: No, I haven’t.
A: It’s a classic coming-of-age movie. Let’s watch it this weekend.

2. I Wasn’t Born Yesterday

This is a great idiom, as you may be able to understand the meaning already. When somebody says
they weren’t born yesterday, they’re saying that they’re not easily fooled or deceived. It means
that, because of their experience and age, they know better or don’t believe you.
A: Did you hear the bank is handing out free money?!
B: Don’t be so silly. I wasn’t born yesterday!

3. Age Is Just a Number

This idiom is lots of fun and is quite positive and uplifting (makes you feel good). It makes you
think about how you perceive (see) life. When somebody says that age is just a number, they’re
stating that our age shouldn’t define us as a person. In other words, no matter how old we are, we
can do anything.
For example, Yuichiro Miuro climbed Mt. Everest when he was 80 years old. This shows that age
is just a number.

4. Age Before Beauty

This humorous and common idiom is used mostly in social situations where the two people are
familiar with each other. Essentially, it’s a way to jokingly suggest that the elder person should go
before the younger person.
Perhaps you’re sitting down for a nice meal with your family. You could say:
Help yourself, first, Uncle. You know what they say: age before beauty!

5. Act Your Age

Act your age is an idiom that’s often used as a command or a suggestion (it’s often said with anger
or frustration). It’s used to tell somebody to stop acting in an immature or childish way. The idiom
is often used in reference to behavior. While not always, you may commonly hear it used towards a
child who’s behaving poorly.
It can also be used to describe a situation in which somebody isn’t acting in a way that’s expected
of their age group.
A: I’m a bit worried about my son, Thomas.
B: Why?
A: He’s always talking about mortgages and taxes. He’s only 12! Sometimes, I wish he’d just act
his age and play soccer with his friends.

6. One Foot in the Grave

Remember how we were talking about some dark and possibly morbid idioms? Well, this is one of
those. To have one foot in the grave is to be very old and considered close to death.
A grave is a hole that’s dug in the ground where you’re laid to rest after you’ve passed away. In
this way, you can see the symbolism of the expression.
A: I saw Bill last night.
B: How is he?
A: He looks very old. I think he’s got one foot in the grave.

7. Ripe Old Age

This idiom is very similar to the previous one and refers to a person who has aged a lot. If someone
lived to a ripe old age, they lived to old age with generally good health. “Ripe” refers to fruit and
vegetables. When they’re ripe, they’re ready to be eaten and are at their best.
You’ll commonly hear this idiom used to talk about somebody who has passed away. In the video
below, you’ll hear Christopher Walken use the idiom in an ironic way. He uses it as a joke!
Play
To use the idiom in the standard way (not as a joke) you might say something simple:
My grandfather lived to the ripe old age of 89.
8. You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks
This unique and flexible idiom refers to behavior. It’s included in our list of age idioms because it
also relates to time. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks refers to a situation in which it’s
challenging to teach somebody something new. This is especially true if they’ve been doing
something a certain way for a long time.
A: I’m trying to teach my dad how to use Instagram.
B: How’s it going?
A: It’s very difficult. You know, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
9. A Spring Chicken
You might remember this idiom from the beginning of this post. Simply, a spring chicken is an
idiom for a young person. It’s usually used by older people to refer to a younger individual.
Funnily enough, you’ll just as commonly hear it in a negative form. It’s common for an older
individual to reference their age by using this idiom. For example, saying “I’m no spring
chicken!” could be considered self-deprecating humor (when you put yourself down or insult
yourself for emphasis).
10. Knee-High to a Grasshopper
Similar to the last idiom, knee-high to a grasshopper is also used in the introduction of this post
and also refers to a young person.
If someone is knee-high to a grasshopper, then they’re very young or small. Commonly, this idiom
is used to refer to a small child.
You’ll find that this idiom is also used to talk about somebody in the past. For example, you might
hear somebody say:
I remember you when you were knee-high to a grasshopper.
They could also say:
I’ve known you since you were knee-high to a grasshopper.