What does “add years to my life” mean? [on hold]
Please look at the following:
Dear Katharine (very dear):
I've had moments of despair during the last week which have added years to my life and put many new thoughts in my head. Always, however, I have ended on a cheerful note of hope. based on the realization that you are the person to whom I return and that you are the recurrent phrase in my life.
From Letters of E.B. White
From the context here, I think the phrase "add years to life" means that "it makes me worry and makes me feel years older" but I searched everywhere and cannot find another instance where this phrase is used with this meaning.
I have searched all dictionaries I have access to: OED, OALD, Cambridge advanced learner's dictionary, and American Heritage Dictionary, but cannot find the meaning for this phrase.
I also Googled it to try to find how it is used in different contexts. In all the cases I have found, it appears to mean "to make me live longer."
Can someone let me know:
- can the phrase mean "it makes me feel years older?"
- where else is it used with this meaning?
meaning phrase-meaning
asked Mar 17 at 5:18
Tom BennettTom Bennett
1154
put on hold as off-topic by Jim, Rand al'Thor, tchrist♦ Mar 19 at 2:44
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Please include the research you’ve done, or consider if your question suits our English Language Learners site better. Questions that can be answered using commonly-available references are off-topic." – Rand al'Thor, tchrist
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
add a comment |
Please look at the following:
Dear Katharine (very dear):
I've had moments of despair during the last week which have added years to my life and put many new thoughts in my head. Always, however, I have ended on a cheerful note of hope. based on the realization that you are the person to whom I return and that you are the recurrent phrase in my life.
From Letters of E.B. White
From the context here, I think the phrase "add years to life" means that "it makes me worry and makes me feel years older" but I searched everywhere and cannot find another instance where this phrase is used with this meaning.
I have searched all dictionaries I have access to: OED, OALD, Cambridge advanced learner's dictionary, and American Heritage Dictionary, but cannot find the meaning for this phrase.
I also Googled it to try to find how it is used in different contexts. In all the cases I have found, it appears to mean "to make me live longer."
Can someone let me know:
- can the phrase mean "it makes me feel years older?"
- where else is it used with this meaning?
meaning phrase-meaning
asked Mar 17 at 5:18
Tom BennettTom Bennett
1154
put on hold as off-topic by Jim, Rand al'Thor, tchrist♦ Mar 19 at 2:44
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Please include the research you’ve done, or consider if your question suits our English Language Learners site better. Questions that can be answered using commonly-available references are off-topic." – Rand al'Thor, tchrist
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
I have edited the question to reflect the research I have done. Is it why the question was put on hold? I would appreciate if you could let me know the reason and if it looks okay now.
– Tom Bennett
Mar 19 at 13:37
Can you let me know what I need to do for you to remove the 'on hold' status? I think I find an unusual meaning of the phrase and that was why I posted it here in the first place. I was not trying to post trivial questions without research her. Let me know.
– Tom Bennett
2 days ago
add a comment |
Please look at the following:
Dear Katharine (very dear):
I've had moments of despair during the last week which have added years to my life and put many new thoughts in my head. Always, however, I have ended on a cheerful note of hope. based on the realization that you are the person to whom I return and that you are the recurrent phrase in my life.
From Letters of E.B. White
From the context here, I think the phrase "add years to life" means that "it makes me worry and makes me feel years older" but I searched everywhere and cannot find another instance where this phrase is used with this meaning.
I have searched all dictionaries I have access to: OED, OALD, Cambridge advanced learner's dictionary, and American Heritage Dictionary, but cannot find the meaning for this phrase.
I also Googled it to try to find how it is used in different contexts. In all the cases I have found, it appears to mean "to make me live longer."
Can someone let me know:
- can the phrase mean "it makes me feel years older?"
- where else is it used with this meaning?
meaning phrase-meaning
asked Mar 17 at 5:18
Tom BennettTom Bennett
1154
Please look at the following:
Dear Katharine (very dear):
I've had moments of despair during the last week which have added years to my life and put many new thoughts in my head. Always, however, I have ended on a cheerful note of hope. based on the realization that you are the person to whom I return and that you are the recurrent phrase in my life.
From Letters of E.B. White
From the context here, I think the phrase "add years to life" means that "it makes me worry and makes me feel years older" but I searched everywhere and cannot find another instance where this phrase is used with this meaning.
I have searched all dictionaries I have access to: OED, OALD, Cambridge advanced learner's dictionary, and American Heritage Dictionary, but cannot find the meaning for this phrase.
I also Googled it to try to find how it is used in different contexts. In all the cases I have found, it appears to mean "to make me live longer."
Can someone let me know:
- can the phrase mean "it makes me feel years older?"
- where else is it used with this meaning?
meaning phrase-meaning
meaning phrase-meaning
asked Mar 17 at 5:18
Tom BennettTom Bennett
1154
asked Mar 17 at 5:18
Tom BennettTom Bennett
1154
edited Mar 19 at 14:26
Tom Bennett
asked Mar 17 at 5:18
Tom BennettTom Bennett
1154
asked Mar 17 at 5:18
Tom BennettTom Bennett
1154
asked Mar 17 at 5:18
Tom BennettTom Bennett
1154
1154
put on hold as off-topic by Jim, Rand al'Thor, tchrist♦ Mar 19 at 2:44
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Please include the research you’ve done, or consider if your question suits our English Language Learners site better. Questions that can be answered using commonly-available references are off-topic." – Rand al'Thor, tchrist
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
put on hold as off-topic by Jim, Rand al'Thor, tchrist♦ Mar 19 at 2:44
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Please include the research you’ve done, or consider if your question suits our English Language Learners site better. Questions that can be answered using commonly-available references are off-topic." – Rand al'Thor, tchrist
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
I have edited the question to reflect the research I have done. Is it why the question was put on hold? I would appreciate if you could let me know the reason and if it looks okay now.
– Tom Bennett
Mar 19 at 13:37
Can you let me know what I need to do for you to remove the 'on hold' status? I think I find an unusual meaning of the phrase and that was why I posted it here in the first place. I was not trying to post trivial questions without research her. Let me know.
– Tom Bennett
2 days ago
add a comment |
I have edited the question to reflect the research I have done. Is it why the question was put on hold? I would appreciate if you could let me know the reason and if it looks okay now.
– Tom Bennett
Mar 19 at 13:37
Can you let me know what I need to do for you to remove the 'on hold' status? I think I find an unusual meaning of the phrase and that was why I posted it here in the first place. I was not trying to post trivial questions without research her. Let me know.
– Tom Bennett
2 days ago
I have edited the question to reflect the research I have done. Is it why the question was put on hold? I would appreciate if you could let me know the reason and if it looks okay now.
– Tom Bennett
Mar 19 at 13:37
I have edited the question to reflect the research I have done. Is it why the question was put on hold? I would appreciate if you could let me know the reason and if it looks okay now.
– Tom Bennett
Mar 19 at 13:37
Can you let me know what I need to do for you to remove the 'on hold' status? I think I find an unusual meaning of the phrase and that was why I posted it here in the first place. I was not trying to post trivial questions without research her. Let me know.
– Tom Bennett
2 days ago
Can you let me know what I need to do for you to remove the 'on hold' status? I think I find an unusual meaning of the phrase and that was why I posted it here in the first place. I was not trying to post trivial questions without research her. Let me know.
– Tom Bennett
2 days ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
When EB White wrote that the moments of despair added years to his life, he meant that they made him feel years older than his real age.
answered Mar 17 at 8:17
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
6,36911119
That’s what I guessed too, but I cannot find anything else that uses this phrase this way. Nor can i find it in the dictionaries.
– Tom Bennett
Mar 17 at 12:32
It should be noted that "add years to your life" is often used to mean that the subject item/activity can make you live longer.
– Hot Licks
Mar 17 at 13:02
I find a lot of examples that means to make life longer but haven't found another case which means to make one feel older.
– Tom Bennett
Mar 17 at 17:47
add a comment |
put years on someone or put years on (one) TFD idioms
To cause someone to look, act, or feel much older than they are.
As in:
I'm not even 30, but having two kids has put years on me!
answered Mar 17 at 10:11
lbflbf
22.1k22575
My mother used to say "You'll put years on me!" to me and my sister. She also used to say "You'll make me drink Brobat!" Brobat is a UK brand of bleach.
– Michael Harvey
Mar 17 at 12:41
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
When EB White wrote that the moments of despair added years to his life, he meant that they made him feel years older than his real age.
answered Mar 17 at 8:17
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
6,36911119
That’s what I guessed too, but I cannot find anything else that uses this phrase this way. Nor can i find it in the dictionaries.
– Tom Bennett
Mar 17 at 12:32
It should be noted that "add years to your life" is often used to mean that the subject item/activity can make you live longer.
– Hot Licks
Mar 17 at 13:02
I find a lot of examples that means to make life longer but haven't found another case which means to make one feel older.
– Tom Bennett
Mar 17 at 17:47
add a comment |
When EB White wrote that the moments of despair added years to his life, he meant that they made him feel years older than his real age.
answered Mar 17 at 8:17
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
6,36911119
That’s what I guessed too, but I cannot find anything else that uses this phrase this way. Nor can i find it in the dictionaries.
– Tom Bennett
Mar 17 at 12:32
It should be noted that "add years to your life" is often used to mean that the subject item/activity can make you live longer.
– Hot Licks
Mar 17 at 13:02
I find a lot of examples that means to make life longer but haven't found another case which means to make one feel older.
– Tom Bennett
Mar 17 at 17:47
add a comment |
When EB White wrote that the moments of despair added years to his life, he meant that they made him feel years older than his real age.
answered Mar 17 at 8:17
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
6,36911119
When EB White wrote that the moments of despair added years to his life, he meant that they made him feel years older than his real age.
answered Mar 17 at 8:17
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
6,36911119
answered Mar 17 at 8:17
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
6,36911119
answered Mar 17 at 8:17
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
6,36911119
answered Mar 17 at 8:17
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
6,36911119
6,36911119
That’s what I guessed too, but I cannot find anything else that uses this phrase this way. Nor can i find it in the dictionaries.
– Tom Bennett
Mar 17 at 12:32
It should be noted that "add years to your life" is often used to mean that the subject item/activity can make you live longer.
– Hot Licks
Mar 17 at 13:02
I find a lot of examples that means to make life longer but haven't found another case which means to make one feel older.
– Tom Bennett
Mar 17 at 17:47
add a comment |
That’s what I guessed too, but I cannot find anything else that uses this phrase this way. Nor can i find it in the dictionaries.
– Tom Bennett
Mar 17 at 12:32
It should be noted that "add years to your life" is often used to mean that the subject item/activity can make you live longer.
– Hot Licks
Mar 17 at 13:02
I find a lot of examples that means to make life longer but haven't found another case which means to make one feel older.
– Tom Bennett
Mar 17 at 17:47
That’s what I guessed too, but I cannot find anything else that uses this phrase this way. Nor can i find it in the dictionaries.
– Tom Bennett
Mar 17 at 12:32
That’s what I guessed too, but I cannot find anything else that uses this phrase this way. Nor can i find it in the dictionaries.
– Tom Bennett
Mar 17 at 12:32
It should be noted that "add years to your life" is often used to mean that the subject item/activity can make you live longer.
– Hot Licks
Mar 17 at 13:02
It should be noted that "add years to your life" is often used to mean that the subject item/activity can make you live longer.
– Hot Licks
Mar 17 at 13:02
I find a lot of examples that means to make life longer but haven't found another case which means to make one feel older.
– Tom Bennett
Mar 17 at 17:47
I find a lot of examples that means to make life longer but haven't found another case which means to make one feel older.
– Tom Bennett
Mar 17 at 17:47
add a comment |
put years on someone or put years on (one) TFD idioms
To cause someone to look, act, or feel much older than they are.
As in:
I'm not even 30, but having two kids has put years on me!
answered Mar 17 at 10:11
lbflbf
22.1k22575
My mother used to say "You'll put years on me!" to me and my sister. She also used to say "You'll make me drink Brobat!" Brobat is a UK brand of bleach.
– Michael Harvey
Mar 17 at 12:41
add a comment |
put years on someone or put years on (one) TFD idioms
To cause someone to look, act, or feel much older than they are.
As in:
I'm not even 30, but having two kids has put years on me!
answered Mar 17 at 10:11
lbflbf
22.1k22575
My mother used to say "You'll put years on me!" to me and my sister. She also used to say "You'll make me drink Brobat!" Brobat is a UK brand of bleach.
– Michael Harvey
Mar 17 at 12:41
add a comment |
put years on someone or put years on (one) TFD idioms
To cause someone to look, act, or feel much older than they are.
As in:
I'm not even 30, but having two kids has put years on me!
answered Mar 17 at 10:11
lbflbf
22.1k22575
put years on someone or put years on (one) TFD idioms
To cause someone to look, act, or feel much older than they are.
As in:
I'm not even 30, but having two kids has put years on me!
answered Mar 17 at 10:11
lbflbf
22.1k22575
answered Mar 17 at 10:11
lbflbf
22.1k22575
answered Mar 17 at 10:11
lbflbf
22.1k22575
answered Mar 17 at 10:11
lbflbf
22.1k22575
22.1k22575
My mother used to say "You'll put years on me!" to me and my sister. She also used to say "You'll make me drink Brobat!" Brobat is a UK brand of bleach.
– Michael Harvey
Mar 17 at 12:41
add a comment |
My mother used to say "You'll put years on me!" to me and my sister. She also used to say "You'll make me drink Brobat!" Brobat is a UK brand of bleach.
– Michael Harvey
Mar 17 at 12:41
My mother used to say "You'll put years on me!" to me and my sister. She also used to say "You'll make me drink Brobat!" Brobat is a UK brand of bleach.
– Michael Harvey
Mar 17 at 12:41
My mother used to say "You'll put years on me!" to me and my sister. She also used to say "You'll make me drink Brobat!" Brobat is a UK brand of bleach.
– Michael Harvey
Mar 17 at 12:41
add a comment |
I have edited the question to reflect the research I have done. Is it why the question was put on hold? I would appreciate if you could let me know the reason and if it looks okay now.
– Tom Bennett
Mar 19 at 13:37
Can you let me know what I need to do for you to remove the 'on hold' status? I think I find an unusual meaning of the phrase and that was why I posted it here in the first place. I was not trying to post trivial questions without research her. Let me know.
– Tom Bennett
2 days ago