old cats are like old wine – better with time

Definitions

• experience and age improve something
  Express that as individuals grow older and gain more experience, they become more refined and valuable, just like wine that improves with age

Examples of old cats are like old wine – better with time

• Life was tough for Mrs. Smith's cat, Fluffy, when she first adopted him as a kitten. Fluffy would hiss and scratch every time she tried to pick him up, and he would dart away whenever she tried to feed him. But as the years went by, Fluffy began to change. He grew more affectionate and less skittish, and Mrs. Smith could finally pick him up without getting clawed. Now, Fluffy is a gentle and loving cat who purrs contentedly in Mrs. Smith's lap for hours on end. Just like a fine wine that improves with age, Fluffy has become more delicious and enjoyable to savor with time.

  This example demonstrates how the idiom "old cats are like old wine – better with time" can be applied to animals, specifically cats, to describe how they become more sophisticated and pleasurable with age, just as a good wine improves with age. It highlights the unexpected but delightful changes that can occur over time.

• Despite his initial reluctance, Mr. Johnson decided to invest in a small start-up company. At first, his investment didn't pay off, and his shares lost value. But as the years went by, the company grew and prospered, and his shares skyrocketed in value. Now, Mr. Johnson's original investment has turned into a substantial profit. Just like a bottle of wine that gains flavor and value with maturity, Mr. Johnson's investment has become more valuable and satisfying over time.

  This example shows how the idiom "old cats are like old wine – better with time" can be applied to investments, specifically stocks, to describe how they can appreciate and become more lucrative with time, just as a good bottle of wine gains flavor and value with age. It highlights the potential rewards of patience and perseverance.

• When Jane first joined the organization, she struggled to adapt to the company culture and work with her colleagues. But as time went by, she learned to understand and appreciate her co-workers' unique perspectives and working styles. Now, she has become an integral part of the team and her colleagues trust and rely on her. Just like a fine wine that matures and develops unique nuances and flavors in its bottle, Jane's contributions to the team have become more complex and delightful over time.

  This example illustrates how the idiom "old cats are like old wine – better with time" can be applied to people, specifically their contributions and skills, to describe how they can evolve and improve over time, just as a good wine gains complexity and depth with age. It underscores the value of experience and the immeasurable benefits of a gradual, organic process.

• The legendary actor, now in his seventies, has only grown more captivating and refined as a performer over time. Like a fine bottle of wine, his skills have only improved with age.

  The phrase "old cats are like old wine – better with time" implies that just as a good wine's flavors and aromas develop and improve with age, some individuals, such as the actor mentioned, become more skilled and inspired over time. This can be particularly true for artists and performers, as their experience, perspective, and craftsmanship deepen with exposure and maturity.

• The esteemed professor has spent decades honing her teaching skills, and her lectures are now akin to fine vintages, full-bodied and complex.

  The phrase "old cats are like old wine – better with time" is used here to highlight that the professor's teaching abilities have become more nuanced, sophisticated, and impactful over time, much like the aging process that transforms wine from simple grape juice into a rich, multi-layered beverage. Its flavors and aromas can be subtle, bold, or complex, and so can be the case with the professor's instructional methods, with decades of experience and practice now contributing to its depth.

• The seasoned politician's political acumen has grown more refined and nuanced over time, like a carefully aged bottle of Merlot.

  The phrase "old cats are like old wine – better with time" is used here to illustrate that the politician's political understanding, skill, and decision-making abilities have become more finely honed and refined with experience, as with a carefully aged bottle of Merlot, which offers a full-bodied and sophisticated taste experience. This idiom also implies that these individuals, whether an actor, professor, or politician, have gained an appreciation for the nuances of their crafts, and their experience and insight contribute to a more informed, perceptive, and refined performance.

• Julia Child, the legendary chef and television personality, is a perfect example of an "old cat" who became better with time, much like a vintage bottle of Bordeaux.

  In this example, Julia Child is being compared to a fine vintage of Bordeaux because, like the wine, she embodied the concept that people or things improve with age. Julia Child was not an overnight sensation but rather someone who honed her craft and developed her talents over decades of hard work and practice. The result was a cooking sensation, and like a good vintage, Julia Child became more complex, nuanced, and demonstrative with age. Her development as an artist is even more remarkable considering this was in the realm of television, which was still an emerging medium at the time she became famous. As a result, her expertise and skills were all the more impressive, and her impact on her field endures to this day. Her success serves as an excellent illustration of the power of perseverance, hard work, and the slow but steady process of honing one's craft.

• Grandma's baking skills have only improved with age. Just like old cats, she's become richer and more complex with time.

  In the same way that older cats are more mature and sophisticated than their younger counterparts, grandma's baking skills have grown in richness and complexity over the years. The idiom "old cats are like old wine - better with time" is used to illustrate the idea that age can bring about positive changes in certain things, such as wine and grandma's baking skills.

Conclusion

The idiom "old cats are like old wine – better with time" suggests that as people age, they become more valuable and refined, just like wine that improves with age. It emphasizes the idea that experience and time can enhance one's abilities and qualities, making them more valuable over time.

Origin of "old cats are like old wine – better with time"

The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the concept of aging like wine. Wine is known to improve in flavor and quality as it ages, becoming more valuable and sought after with time. Similarly, the idiom suggests that individuals, like cats in this case, also become more refined and valuable as they grow older and gain more experience. The comparison to cats adds a playful and relatable element to the saying, making it more memorable and engaging for listeners.

Overall, the idiom "old cats are like old wine – better with time" conveys the idea that experience and age bring about positive changes and improvements in individuals, just like wine that becomes better with age. It serves as a reminder that growing older can lead to increased value and refinement, encouraging individuals to embrace the aging process and the benefits that come with it.