long是“長(zhǎng)”, tooth是“牙”, long in the tooth是什麽(me)意思? 解答 ： long in the tooth年紀大 “long in the tooth”的起源和馬有關。馬兒過瞭(le)壯年，咀嚼能力就會衰退。咀嚼能力退化的标志是牙龈萎縮，牙根顯露出來，從而使得馬牙顯得特别長(zhǎng)，因此人們通過檢查馬牙長(zhǎng)短來判斷馬的實際年齡和相應的價值。所以“long in the tooth”就是指“上瞭(le)年紀，年紀大”～ 例句： She's a bit long in the tooth for such a romantic role. 演這樣一個具有浪漫色彩的角色，她年紀有點(diǎn)太大瞭(le)”
拓展知識： 有個成語叫“馬齒(chǐ)徒增”，意思是“空有年歲增長(zhǎng)而學業或事業沒有長(zhǎng)進”，可以翻譯成“to be long in the tooth with nothing accomplished”
雖然tooth是“牙齒(chǐ)”意思，但在一些表達中卻诠釋著(zhe)不一樣的意境~
1.fight tooth and nail 釋義： to try very hard to get something you want 竭盡全力 例句： We fought tooth and nail to get the route of the new road changed. 我們奮(fèn)力抗争，争取改變(biàn)新修道路的路線。
2.get your teeth into sth 釋義 ： to deal with something or become involved in something with great energy and enthusiasm 專注於 例句： I'm so bored at work, I wish they'd give me something I could really get my teeth into. 我很厭倦工作，我希望他們(men)能給(gěi)我一件我能真正潛心去做的事。
3.in the teeth of sth 釋義： If something happens or is done in the teeth of difficulties, the difficulties cause problems but do not stop it. 違抗；不顧 例句： The road was built in the teeth of fierce opposition from the public. 這條道路是在公衆的強烈反對(duì)下修起來(lái)的。
4.set sb's teeth on edge 釋義： If something, especially a noise, sets your teeth on edge, it annoys you very much. （尤指噪聲(shēng)）使（某人）非常惱(nǎo)火 例句： That DJ's voice really sets my teeth on edge. 那位電(diàn)台音樂節目主持人的嗓音的確(què)使我很不舒服。
