not long for this world
 

How can I use the idiom, "not long for this world"?

Just use a form of the verb "to be" in front of the expression.

ex. I am not long for this world.
ex. She's not long for this world.

That's one of my mother's favorite expressions. She usually says, "I'm not long for this world." immediately after watching the 10pm news. It just means that she's tired.

You can also use it to refer to someone who is dying. "He's not long for this world."

hope that helps :)

Re: not long for this world
 

That's interesting...I've never heard of that expression before.:doh:

Re: not long for this world
 

For someone who's dying, you can also say:

"his days are numbered"

This can be a threat, too, if you address it to a person:

"your days are numbered..."

Re: not long for this world
 

that's a great one for class, emile. ;)

Re: not long for this world
 

It would be a good expression to include in a class on euphemisms and taboo language. There are heaps of ways to talk about death and dying - passing on/over, bite the dust, kick the bucket...... etc

Obviously you have to be comfortable that the subject is ok to discuss in class... might not be suitable for all.

xx