along in years

along in years

Advanced in age; old or becoming old. I might be a little bit along in years, but I'm no fool when it comes to technology! Your grandfather's along in years, so you may need to speak a bit more loudly around him. She was along in years before she found a career that she loved.

See also: year

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

along in years

Also, on in years. Elderly, old. For example, Grandma's along in years now and doesn't hear too well, or Our dog is not as frisky now that he's getting on in years. This idiom transfers the length of along (and the "onward" of on) to the passage of time. [Late 1800s]

See also: year

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.