You can’t teach an old dog new tricks

Meaning

The idiom "you can’t teach an old dog new tricks" means that someone or something is stubborn, resistant to change, or not capable of learning new things. It is often used to describe a person who has been around for a long time and has developed certain habits or attitudes that are hard to change.

Usage

• "John may be old, but he's still learned some new tricks in the kitchen." (This sentence suggests that John is not as stubborn or resistant to change as the idiom implies.)
• "I can't teach my dog to sit - it just doesn't listen to me." (In this context, the idiom is being used to describe a dog that is stubborn and not willing to learn.)
• "Don't try to teach your grandfather how to use a smartphone - he's too set in his ways." (This sentence suggests that the grandfather is not willing to learn new technology because he is comfortable with what he already knows.)
• "I tried to teach my cat how to play fetch, but it didn't work out." (In this context, the idiom is being used to describe a cat that is not interested in learning new things.)
• "The old dog at work was initially resistant to change, but now he's embracing technology and is one of the most productive employees on the team." (This sentence suggests that the employee has become more open to change and is now able to adapt to new technologies.)

Roots and History

The exact origins of the idiom "you can’t teach an old dog new tricks" are not known, but it is believed to have originated in England around the 17th or 18th century. The phrase may have been inspired by the belief that dogs could only learn certain behaviors during their early years and that once they had reached adulthood, they were stuck with those habits. Over time, the idiom has evolved to refer to any type of person who is resistant to change or not willing to learn new things.

Synonyms in English

• "You can't teach an old man new tricks."
• "Old dogs can't learn new tricks."
• "Don't try to teach an oldie new things."
• "The old dog won't learn any new tricks."
• "An old horse can't be taught new tricks."

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "Il est trop tard pour qu'un chien vieux apprendre de nouvelles ruses" (It is too late for an old dog to learn new tricks)
• Spanish: "Es demasiado tarde para que un perro viejo aprenda nuevas traves" (It is too late for an old dog to learn new tricks)
• Italian: "È troppo tardi per che un cane vecchio impari nuove scelte" (It is too late for an old dog to learn new tricks)
• German: "Es ist zu spät, ein alt gewordener Hund neugebaut zu machen" (It is too late to build a new house for an old dog)
• Russian: "Старый собачка не можетlearnь новые травы" (An old dog cannot learn new grasses)

Similar Idioms

• you’ve got to be kidding

• the buck stops here

• cat among the pigeons