PhrasesHub

Old as the hills

    Definitions

      • very old
        Describing something or someone as being extremely old, with the implication that it has been around for a very long time

      • very familiar
        Expressing that something is well-known or well-established, often used to convey a sense of comfort or nostalgia

    Examples of Old as the hills

    • The mountains in the distance were old as the hills. They had stood there for centuries, witnessing the passage of time and the changes that came with it.

      The idiom "old as the hills" is used to describe something that is very old, almost ancient. It suggests that the object or person in question has been around for a very long time and has witnessed many years go by. In this example, the mountains in the distance are being compared to hills, which are also very old and have been there for a long time. The phrase "old as the hills" helps to convey the idea that these mountains are ancient and have been standing there for a very long time.

    • The old oak tree in the park is as sturdy as it was old as the hills.

      This example uses the idiom "old as the hills" to describe how long the oak tree has been standing. It implies that the tree is very old and can be traced back to ancient times, making it an important part of the surrounding environment.

    • My grandmother's wisdom is old as the hills.

      This example uses the idiom to describe the depth of knowledge and experience that the grandmother possesses. It implies that her knowledge is ancient and has been accumulated over a very long period of time.

    • The rocky terrain of the mountain range has remained old as the hills for centuries.

      This example uses the idiom to describe the ancient age of the mountain range. It highlights the fact that the land has remained untouched for a very long time, possibly since the beginning of time itself.

    • Some philosophers argue that our understanding of the universe is as old as the hills.

      This example uses the idiom to describe the ancient nature of human understanding regarding the universe. It implies that the way we perceive the universe has remained unchanged for a very long time, possibly since the beginning of human thinking itself.

    • The story of their Grandfather's struggles and hardships to provide for his family dates back to a time when smartphones were not even an imagination in the minds of the scientists, let alone in the hands of the people. It's an era as old as the hills.

      In this example, the idiom "Old as the hills" is being used to imply that the events described have been around for an exceptionally long time. It is being used to express the fact that the story of the Grandfather's struggles is so ancient that it's older than the hills themselves. The usage of this idiom helps in making the sentence more descriptive and evocative.

    • The technique they were trying to develop using cutting-edge technologies was not something that was feasible in the time when the old-timers would climb the hills to fetch water from the nearest streams. It's a concept as old as the hills.

      In this example, the idiom "Old as the hills" is being used to indicate that the concept being referred to is so ancient that it's older than the hills themselves. This once again highlights the extreme age of the idea being discussed, and how it predates almost all modern inventions.

    • Granny used to tell stories of the times when the wild animals would terrorize the villagers, and the only means to survive was to climb the hills and hide in the caves until the predators migrated. Those times were as old as the hills.

      In this example, the idiom "Old as the hills" is being used to explain that the times being referred to here are so old that they predate the hills themselves. Here, it is being used to imply that the times being described are extremely ancient.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "old as the hills" can be used to convey two different meanings. It can either describe something or someone as being very old, or it can express that something is very familiar and well-established.

    When used to describe something as being very old, it is often used in a literal sense to emphasize the age of an object or a person. On the other hand, when used to express familiarity, it is used to convey a sense of comfort or nostalgia, often in a more figurative sense.

    Overall, "old as the hills" is a versatile idiom that can be used to convey both age and familiarity in different contexts.

    Origin of "Old as the hills"

    The origin of the idiom "old as the hills" can be traced back to the early 19th century. The phrase likely originated from the fact that hills and mountains are some of the oldest features on the Earth's surface, making them a symbol of age and longevity.

    The idiom has been used in literature and everyday language to emphasize the age of something or someone, as well as to convey a sense of familiarity and comfort. It has stood the test of time and continues to be used in modern English to this day.

    Examples of the idiom can be found in literary works from the 19th century, as well as in contemporary language, showcasing its enduring popularity and relevance.