act (one's) age
To behave in accordance with one's expected level of maturity. Really, John, act your age a little. You're like a child sometimes! I'm glad that Sarah is so committed to her studies, but sometimes I wish she would act her age and go out with her friends a bit. Would you two please act your age and stop carrying on in the middle of class?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
act one's age
Behave more maturely. Although the phrase often is used in asking children to act in a more grown-up fashion ( Only babies suck their thumbs; act your age), it also may refer to an adult who is, sometimes deliberately, acting much younger than might be considered appropriate ( Grandpa, it's time you stopped climbing ladders and acted your age).
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.