Age: English Vocabulary List

used to say that a person's age is not solely determined by the number of years they have lived, but by their physical and mental state

"A person is as old as they feel — a man is as old as he feels himself to be."

"At seventy she was more energetic than most people half her age — a man is as old as he feels himself to be."

used to imply that as a person ages, they become more childlike in their behavior and needs, emphasizing the importance of treating the elderly with care and respect

"Old man acts like child."

"With his increasing frailty and need for constant attention, it was clear that an old man is twice a child, requiring gentle care."

used to suggest that someone who achieves success or matures too quickly or too early in life may also experience a decline or downfall earlier than others

"The child genius burned out, early ripe, early rotten."

"The child star burned out quickly proving that early ripe early rotten is often true in show business."

used to imply that as a person reaches middle age, they either gain wisdom and expertise from their experiences or remain foolish due to their inability to learn from mistakes

"Man is fool or physician."

"Having learned from his mistakes and gained considerable knowledge, he was clearly a physician by forty, not a fool."

used to suggest that the second half of life can be as rewarding as the first, as the age of forty allows more time and resources to focus on personal interests

"Real life begins at middle age — life begins at forty."

"She had found her true calling only after forty — life begins at forty."

used to suggest that customs, behavior, and social norms change over time, and what is acceptable or expected in one era or culture may not be in another

"Different eras have different standards — other times, other manners."

"What was acceptable then would be condemned now — other times, other manners."

used to suggest that even though something or someone may be old and worn out, they can still be effective and have value

"Old things can still perform beautifully — there is many a good tune played on an old fiddle."

"She delivered her finest work in her late sixties — there is many a good tune played on an old fiddle."

used to imply that young people should be given opportunities to grow, learn, and express themselves while being treated with patience and understanding to nurture their potential

"Young people must be served."

"The youth must be served with patience and understanding, so we should give young people the space they need to grow and express themselves."

used to emphasize that young people should be allowed to explore and experiment with their lives, make mistakes, and learn from them

"Young people need to experience life fully — youth will have its fling."

"She let her children make their own choices, knowing youth will have its swing."