Idiom
old chestnut
Meanings
A joke, story, or remark that is very old and has been told too many times.
An idea or solution that is reused so often that it seems tired or unoriginal.
Definition
An old chestnut is a joke, story, or idea that has been repeated so often that it feels stale.
An old chestnut is something familiar that people have heard many times before, especially a joke or story. Because it has been repeated so often, it usually feels unoriginal or not very funny anymore. People often use it when they want to politely criticize a recycled idea.
Examples
- He ended the speech with that old chestnut about hard work paying off.
- Every family dinner includes the same old chestnut about my childhood haircut.
- The movie relies on an old chestnut: the hero wakes up and it was all a dream.
- She tried to break the tension with an old chestnut, but nobody laughed.
- That’s an old chestnut of a complaint, and we’ve already addressed it.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More noun phrases
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- gravy train A gravy train is an easy, steady way to make a lot of money with little effort.
- green thumb A green thumb is a natural skill at growing and caring for plants.
- mug's game A mug's game is an activity that is pointless or likely to end badly for the person doing it.
- level playing field A level playing field is a situation where everyone has the same opportunities and no unfair advant…