old habits die hard
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Established habits are difficult to change.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Old habits die hard. The stronger beverage of English ale had been so long in use that the old folks could not be induced to relinquish it for a foreign herb.
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 “old habits die hard” mean?
Established habits are difficult to change.
Is “old habits die hard” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.