he's fifty if he's a day...

[bluepinky]

What does it mean?

Thanks.

[Anglika]

He's fifty if he's a day [old] = colloquialism expressing a belief that someone is older than they want to be considered.

[buggles]

A similar expression of this type is:

"She's 15 going on 30."

This describes someone who is old beyond their years. i.e. someone who behaves like a much older person than they are.

[mfwills]

The speaker is expressing what he believes to be a highly accurate estimate of the subject's age.

It may or may not be in response to the subject claiming to be younger or "not acting his age."

[bluepinky]

Originally Posted by mfwills

The speaker is expressing what he believes to be a highly accurate estimate of the subject's age.

It may or may not be in response to the subject claiming to be younger or "not acting his age."

Thanks. Got a follow up question. Is that expression fixed or we can say "He's sixty if he's a day."

Thanks again.

[Shakespeare's brother]

bluepinky, that too is an acceptable expression.

[bluepinky]

Originally Posted by Shakespeare's brother

bluepinky, that too is an acceptable expression.

Oh, thanks, Shakespeare's brother.

[mfwills]

Originally Posted by bluepinky

Thanks. Got a follow up question. Is that expression fixed or we can say "He's sixty if he's a day."

Thanks again.

It's whatever age the speaker believes the subject to be.

[amigos4]

Originally Posted by Shakespeare's brother

bluepinky, that too is an acceptable expression.

We can also say: 'Shakespeare's brother is 400 if he's a century!"

Cheers,
Amigo

[bluepinky]

Thanks you so much!

By the way, is it right to say "Many thanks."?