ripe
at a/the ripe old age
At an especially old age. Even at the ripe old age of 90, my grandmother still loves to go shopping.
See also: age, old, ripe
be ripe for the picking
To be in an ideal position or at the perfect stage to be utilized, benefited or profited from, taken advantage of, exploited, etc. (Alludes to fruit being at the right stage to be harvested.) Assert our brand early and aggressively enough, and this new market will be ripe for the picking. I heard that massive company just dropped their current PR team—that contract is ripe for the picking! This land is ripe for the picking if we can get the locals to sign over the rights to it.
See also: picking, ripe
cherry ripe
1. slang A pipe. The term comes from rhyming slang in which "ripe" rhymes with "pipe." Primarily heard in UK. I can still see Grandpa sitting in his study, smoking a cherry ripe, just like the good ol' days.
2. slang Nonsense; foolish talk. The term comes from rhyming slang in which "ripe" rhymes with "tripe." Primarily heard in UK. You can't believe a word Ian says—he's always spouting some cherry ripe. A: "You can take that cherry ripe for what it's worth." B: "Nothing?" A: "Pretty much."
See also: cherry, ripe
early ripe, early rotten
proverb A child prodigy will likely lose their abilities as they age. A: "But you played the piano so beautifully when you were younger." B: "I know. I guess it's true what they say—early ripe, early rotten."
See also: early, rotten
like a ripe plum
Easily; with very little resistance. After a few months of being cut off from supplies, the city will fall into our hands like a ripe plum.
See also: like, plum, ripe
live to a ripe old age
To live to an especially old age. You won't be living to a ripe old age if you keep eating all that junk food! My grandmother on my dad's side lived to the ripe old age of 108.
See also: age, live, old, ripe
ripe for (something)
In the condition that most invites or calls for something to happen, or particularly ready or in need of something. In the absence of the dictator's authoritarian regime, the country is ripe for the rise of extremist groups. The industry claims that it has instituted safety standards, but in reality it is ripe for reform.
See also: ripe
ripe old age
A very old age. Even at the ripe old age of 90, my grandmother still loves to go shopping. All I want at the end of my life is to die at a ripe old age surrounded by my family.
See also: age, old, ripe
the time is ripe
Now is the best moment or most favorable time to do something. With prices so low, the time is ripe to buy up real estate in the city. Public sentiment is on our side. The time is ripe for revolution!
See also: ripe, time
to a/the ripe old age
To an especially old age. You won't live to a ripe old age if you keep eating all that junk food! My grandmother on my dad's side lived to the ripe old age of 108.
See also: age, old, ripe
when the time is ripe
When the most opportune or favorable time to do something has arrived. Let's begin gathering the necessary resources and personnel so that when the time is ripe, we will be able to strike without delay. We actually had the product ready for launch several months ago, but we wanted to wait until the time was ripe.
See also: ripe, time
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
Early ripe, early rotten,
and Soon ripe, soon rotten.Prov. A child with extraordinary talent or intelligence will probably lose those qualities by the time he or she grows up. Jill: Philip was such a fine young boy; I'm surprised he's become such a good-for-nothing adult. Jane: Early ripe, early rotten. Jane: You must be very proud of your little boy. He seems so mature for his age. Ellen: I'm afraid it won't last. You know what they say: "Soon ripe, soon rotten."
See also: early, rotten
ripe old age
a very old age. Mr. Smith died last night, but he lived to a ripe old age—99. All the Smiths seem to reach a ripe old age.
See also: age, old, ripe
time is ripe
Prov. It is the most favorable time to do something. You ought to buy a house this year. Prices are so low, and you have enough money saved for a down payment. The time is ripe. Since Joe was in a good mood, I judged that the time was ripe to ask him for the favor I needed.
See also: ripe, time
when the time is ripe
Fig. at exactly the right time. I'll tell her the good news when the time is ripe. When the time is ripe, I'll bring up the subject again.
See also: ripe, time
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
ripe old age
An age advanced in years, as in I expect to live to a ripe old age. The adjective ripe here means "fully developed physically and mentally," but the current use of the idiom usually just signifies a long lifespan. [Second half of 1300s]
See also: age, old, ripe
time is ripe
This is the right moment for something, as in The time is ripe for a revival of that play. Shakespeare used this term (and may have originated it) in 1 Henry IV (1:3): "Letters shall direct your course when time is ripe."
See also: ripe, time
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
like a ripe plum (or ripe plums)
used to convey that something can be obtained with little or no effort.See also: like, plum, ripe
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
at/to a ˈripe old age
,at/to the ripe old age of...
at/to a very old age: My grandmother lived to a ripe old age. My uncle was still driving a car at the ripe old age of 89.See also: age, old, ripe
the time is ˈripe (for somebody) (to do something)
,the time is ˈripe for something/for doing something
(literary) it is the right time to do something: I think the time’s ripe for him to leave home if he wants to. The time is ripe for a change in this country.See also: ripe, time
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
ripe
1. mod. alcohol intoxicated. Yes, they were ripe all right. Stinking drunk.
2. mod. foul; smelly. Whooey! This place is ripe. What died?
3. mod. crude; raunchy. Your jokes are a bit ripe.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
ripe old age
Advanced in years, quite old. This expression is itself of a ripe old age—it dates from the second half of the fourteenth century—and is generally used in a positive, admiring sense.W. Somerset Maugham used it in Creatures of Circumstance (1947): “. . . little house in the country where he could potter about till death claimed him at a ripe old age.”
See also: age, old, ripe
time is ripe, the
This is a suitable occasion or moment for a particular event. Time here is likened to fruit that has ripened and is ready to pick or eat. The term was already known in Shakespeare’s time. He used it in Henry IV, Part 1: “I by letters shall direct your course. When time is ripe, which will be suddenly, I’ll steal to Glendower and Lord Mortimer” (1.3).
See also: time
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- ripe old age
- at a/the ripe old age
- at/to a ripe old age
- to a/the ripe old age
- live to a ripe old age
- the grand old age of
- a/the grand old age
- a grand old age
- of age
- live to the age of