Explanation + Extra Practice
Age Expressions and Idioms Explained
- How old R U?
- This is an informal way of asking someone’s age. It’s short for “How old are you?”
- To be in one’s (decade):
- This expression describes someone’s age range. For example, if someone is in their 20s, they are between 20 and 29 years old.
- Example: Ariana Grande is in her 20s (she is between 20 and 29 years old).
- Early 30s:
- This means someone is between the ages of 30 and 33.
- Example: “He’s in his early 30s” means he is probably 30, 31, 32, or 33 years old.
- Mid 30s:
- This means someone is between the ages of 34 and 36.
- Example: “She’s in her mid 30s” means she is 34, 35, or 36 years old.
- Late 30s:
- This means someone is between the ages of 37 and 39.
- Example: “He’s in his late 30s” means he is 37, 38, or 39 years old.
- To look younger than one’s age:
- This means someone appears younger than their real age.
- Example: “She’s 40, but she looks 30!”
- Not to look one’s age:
- This is another way to say someone looks younger (or older) than their actual age.
- Example: “He doesn’t look his age at all; he looks much younger.”
- To be pushing (age):
- This means someone is close to a certain age, usually an older age.
- Example: “She’s pushing 50,” means she is almost 50 years old.
- To look older than one’s age:
- This means someone appears older than they actually are.
- Example: “He’s only 30, but he looks like he’s 40.”
- To look one’s age:
- This means someone looks exactly like their real age.
- Example: “She’s 50, and she looks 50.”
- Spring Chicken:
- A spring chicken is a young person. This expression is often used in a funny way to say someone is not young anymore.
- Example: “He’s no spring chicken, but he can still run fast.”
- The years have been kind to him:
- This means someone has aged well and still looks good for their age.
- Example: “Even at 60, the years have been kind to him.”
- He is well-preserved:
- This is a compliment. It means someone looks good or healthy for their age.
- Example: “For someone in his 70s, he is really well-preserved.”
Insults About Age
- He is over the hill:
- This means someone is old and past their prime (the best or most active years of their life).
- Example: “He’s over the hill; he can’t run like he used to.”
- He is showing signs of wear and tear:
- This means someone is starting to show signs of aging, like wrinkles or being less active.
- Example: “He’s only 55, but he’s showing signs of wear and tear.”
- Time has taken its toll on him:
- This means aging has affected someone, making them look older or more tired.
- Example: “Time has taken its toll on him; he looks much older now.”
- You are only as old as you feel:
- This means that even if you are older in age, you can still feel young if you stay active and positive.
- Example: “Don’t worry about your age; you’re only as old as you feel!”
- Age is just a number:
- This expression means that age doesn’t matter as much as how you feel or act.
- Example: “He’s 70, but he’s still dancing! Age is just a number.”
- I’m young at heart:
- This means someone may be older, but they still have the energy, enthusiasm, or attitude of a young person.
- Example: “Even though she’s 65, she’s young at heart and loves to have fun.”
These idioms and expressions are commonly used to talk about age in both positive and sometimes humorous or negative ways.
Extra Practice
Age Expressions and Idioms Quiz
Beginner Level (1-10)
- If someone asks, “How old are you?” what are they asking for?
a) Your favorite number
b) Your age
c) Your birthday - If someone is in their early 30s, how old could they be?
a) 30-33
b) 34-36
c) 37-39 - If Ariana Grande is in her 20s, how old is she?
a) 10-19
b) 20-29
c) 30-39 - When someone looks younger than their age, it means…
a) They look exactly their age
b) They look older than their age
c) They look younger than their real age - If someone doesn’t look their age, they…
a) Look older or younger than they really are
b) Look the same age as they are
c) Are hiding their age - What does “pushing 50” mean?
a) They are already 50 years old
b) They are almost 50 years old
c) They just turned 50 - If someone says you are no spring chicken, they mean…
a) You are very young
b) You are not young anymore
c) You are a teenager - When the years have been kind to someone, they have…
a) Aged well
b) Aged poorly
c) Stayed young forever - If someone says, “He is well-preserved,” it means…
a) He is very old
b) He looks good for his age
c) He is unhealthy - If someone looks their age, they…
a) Look exactly like their real age
b) Look much older
c) Look much younger
Intermediate Level (11-20)
- If someone is “pushing 40,” how old are they?
a) They are almost 40
b) They are already 40
c) They are younger than 40 - What does it mean if someone says, “Time has taken its toll on him”?
a) He looks younger than he is
b) He hasn’t changed with age
c) He looks older and more tired now - If someone says, “You are only as old as you feel,” what does this mean?
a) Your real age doesn’t matter if you feel young
b) You should always act your age
c) Feeling old is a good thing - When someone says “Age is just a number,” they mean…
a) Age is very important
b) Your age doesn’t define you
c) You should act according to your age - What does “young at heart” mean?
a) To be physically young
b) To have a young and playful spirit
c) To act much younger than you are - If someone says, “He is over the hill,” they mean…
a) He is too old to do something
b) He is very young
c) He is at the top of his career - What does it mean if someone is “showing signs of wear and tear”?
a) They are healthy
b) They are aging and it shows
c) They look younger than before - If someone says, “He doesn’t look his age,” what could they mean?
a) He looks much younger than his age
b) He looks exactly his age
c) He looks older than his age - If someone is in their late 40s, how old could they be?
a) 40-43
b) 44-46
c) 47-49 - When the years have been unkind to someone, it means…
a) They have aged very well
b) They have aged poorly
c) They are still very young
Advanced Level (21-25)
- If someone is well-preserved, they…
a) Have taken good care of themselves and look good for their age
b) Haven’t aged well at all
c) Look much older than their age - When someone is said to be “no spring chicken,” what are they definitely not?
a) They are not young
b) They are not healthy
c) They are not experienced - What is the meaning of “pushing 30”?
a) You are in your early 20s
b) You are nearly 30
c) You are already 30 - If time has taken its toll on someone, they…
a) Are looking more youthful with age
b) Have aged and it shows, usually in appearance and health
c) Look the same as they always did - What does “young at heart” imply about a person’s attitude?
a) They behave much younger than their real age
b) They are immature
c) They are physically young, but mentally old
Answer Key:
- b | 2. a | 3. b | 4. c | 5. a | 6. b | 7. b | 8. a | 9. b | 10. a
- a | 12. c | 13. a | 14. b | 15. b | 16. a | 17. b | 18. a | 19. c | 20. b
- a | 22. a | 23. b | 24. b | 25. a