a new broom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows the corners
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
New management imposes radical changes, but those with prior experience have more knowledge.
Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt
Quản lý mới thay đổi mạnh, nhưng kinh nghiệm cũ biết rõ hơn
Machine-translated — suggest a fix
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
It is said that a new broom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows the corners – this does not apply to Mbombela’s social scene.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “a new broom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows the corners” mean?
New management imposes radical changes, but those with prior experience have more knowledge.
Is “a new broom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows the corners” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.