mutton dressed as lamb

Meaning

Noun

• A middle-aged or elderly woman dressed in a style more suited to a young woman, especially if in a deliberate attempt to appear young.

Origin

• A metaphorical sense of ‘mutton’ (unattractive older woman) being dressed (clothed) as lamb (a younger attractive woman) and also a pun on mutton (meat from old sheep) being dressed (prepared) as lamb (meat from young sheep), related to the obsolete word ‘lamb-fashion’ (see https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/mutton-dressed-as-lamb.html)