THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
A saying suggesting that established habits or skills are difficult to change.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” he joked when he reached for his familiar notebook.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
“________,” he joked when he reached for his familiar notebook.
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You can’t teach an old dog new tricks — A saying suggesting that established habits or skills are difficult to change.
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Make it yours
Write one sentence using “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
A saying suggesting that established habits or skills are difficult to change.
Compare: “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” he joked when he reached for his familiar notebook.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
People may use this saying humorously about their own habits or pessimistically about change. It can sound dismissive when applied to someone else, particularly an older learner.
More examples in context
- She used the saying “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” to explain her reluctance to change the routine.
- “Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?” Gran asked after learning to edit videos.
Usage note
This is a figurative saying, not a fact that older people cannot learn. The “old dog” can represent anyone with established habits, and speakers sometimes challenge or reverse the saying.
A short conversation
A: I’m not sure I can learn this new app. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
B: Let’s try one feature together. You learned the video-call app last month.
A: You’re right. I’ll give it a go.
One more practice question
What does the saying usually suggest?
A. People of every age learn every new skill instantly.
B. Changing established habits can be difficult.
Check your answer
B. The saying expresses difficulty with change; it is not proof that learning is impossible.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.