What is the meaning of 'Long in the tooth'

[Autumn72]

If you know I read it in a book titled Sisters.

 

[Alligatorob]

What is the meaning of 'Long in the tooth'

I believe it refers to being old, and the tendency for our gums to recede, making teeth appear longer.

In my case I think I am wearing my teeth down faster than my gums are receding, so I am getting "short in the tooth".

 

[timoc]

What is the meaning of 'Long in the tooth'​

Timoc

 

[Paco Dennis]

 

[Judycat]

This expression alludes to a horse's gums receding with age and making the teeth appear longer.

 

[Autumn72]

Give me a break!
Something tells me Susie always was lusting after her husband's work colleagues.
He happened to work with some rather good looking, charming men. All a bit "long in the tooth now".

 

[IrisSenior]

If you know I read it in a book titled Sisters.

I googled it and it said:

"If you describe someone as long in the tooth, you are saying unkindly or humorously that they are old or getting old."

 

[Jan14]

A new saying to me. I think it’s hilarious. We need to laugh at ourselves!

 

[Capt Lightning]

This is also related to the saying "You should not look a gift horse in the mouth". In other words - if you are given something, you should accept it and not look for faults in it.

 

[Autumn72]

So the story I was reading about a woman whose husband brought her into his place of employment had a glimpse of his male co-workers and said to the reader: " I thought of having an affair with one of husband's co-workers, but they were all ' long in the tooth'. So it means they all looked alike as in carbon copies of gummy mouths or just plain ole old.

 

[Nathan]

This is a computer that is long-in-the-tooth:

 

[JonSR77]

Saber Tooth Tiger Tooth, By Two

They always loved gardening. But the gardening clubs always used to cancel their membership and throw them out. They would make false claims about them looking "very aggressive," just because they would smile at the beautiful roses.

 

[win231]

If "Long in the tooth" is age related, why don't we say "Long in the Ears" & Long in the Nose?"