PhrasesHub

Old as Methuselah

    Definitions

      • very old
        To describe someone or something as being extremely old or ancient

    Examples of Old as Methuselah

    • The antique store down the road has furniture that's Old as Methuselah.

      This idiom is being used to express that the furniture in the antique store is extremely old, possibly dating back to the biblical figure Methuselah, who is said to have lived for 969 years.

    • My grandfather's stories About his time in the army are as Ancient as Methuselah.

      Here, the idiom is being used to describe the length of time that has passed since my grandfather's experiences in the army. The implication is that the stories are very old and have been passed down for generations.

    • The parchment manuscript that we found in the library is Old as Methuselah.

      This example highlights the ancient nature of the manuscript, which appears to be very old and could potentially be several hundred, if not thousands, of years old.

    • The water tower on the outskirts of town looks Ancient as Methuselah.

      In this example, the idiom is being used to describe the age of the water tower, which appears to be very old and has likely been standing in place for a long time. The comparison to Methuselah emphasizes how ancient and venerable the structure truly is.

    • The grandfather clock in the antique shop ticked away like a timepiece that was older than Methuselah.

      Methuselah was a person mentioned in the Bible who lived for over 900 years. To say that the grandfather clock was older than Methuselah is to say that it was extremely old and had been around for a very long time. This idiom is used to describe something that has been in existence for a very long time.

    • The wooden chest that had been passed down through generations was older than Methuselah itself.

      The chest had been in the family for so long that it predates the story of Methuselah, who is known for his incredibly long life. Here, we are using the idiom to describe the incredible age of the chest, implying that it has been in use and in existence for an incredibly long time.

    • The library was lined with aging shelves that had been around since before Methuselah was born.

      We use this idiom to describe something that is so old that it predates the biblical tale of Methuselah. The library's shelves have been around for an incredibly long time, having been in use long before anyone can remember. This phrase is often used to describe objects that have been in use for centuries.

    • The wooden floorboards creaked beneath my feet, the planks having been laid down before Methuselah was even a twinkle in God's eye.

      This idiom is used to describe something that is so old that it predates the very foundation of time itself. The floorboards in this case are so old that they've been around since before the biblical tale of Methuselah. This idiom is often used to describe objects that have been in use for centuries or millennia, implying that they've outlasted generations and have been through many transformations over the years.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "Old as Methuselah" is used to emphasize the age of a person or object. It conveys the idea of extreme old age and is often used in a lighthearted or humorous manner. It can also be used to express surprise at the longevity of something.

    It is important to note that this idiom is not meant to be taken literally, but rather as a colorful way to emphasize the advanced age of someone or something.

    Origin of "Old as Methuselah"

    The idiom "Old as Methuselah" references Methuselah, a biblical figure who is said to have lived to be 969 years old. In the Bible, Methuselah is described as the grandfather of Noah and is known for his exceptional longevity. The use of this idiom likely stems from the idea of Methuselah being the epitome of old age and has been used in English language to describe extreme old age for centuries.

    The reference to Methuselah in this idiom dates back to the 17th century and has continued to be used in modern English to convey the concept of extreme old age. The biblical story of Methuselah's longevity has contributed to the enduring use of this idiom in the English language.