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BBC Learning English August 5, 2026

What does 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks' mean?

The phrase 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks' is a idiomatic expression that conveys the idea that it's challenging to change someone's habits or teach them new things if they're old. This phrase is often used to describe people who are resistant to change or learning new things, and it's a way of saying that some people are too set in their ways to change or learn new things.

The phrase is thought to have originated from the idea that dogs are creatures of habit and can be very stubborn. If you try to teach an old dog new tricks, they might get frustrated or confused. It's the same with people. Some people are just too old or too established in their ways to change or learn new things.

This phrase is often used in everyday conversations to describe people who are resistant to change or learning new things. It's a way of saying that some people are just too old or too established in their ways to change or learn new things.

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