Idiom

old chestnut

noun phrase B2

UK /ˌəʊld ˈtʃesnʌt/

US /ˌoʊld ˈtʃɛsnʌt/

Meanings

noun phrase

A joke, story, or remark that has been repeated so often that it feels stale or unoriginal.

noun phrase

A familiar and repeatedly used idea or argument, especially one brought up again in a debate or discussion.

Definition

An old chestnut is a story, joke, or idea that has been told or used many times before and is no longer original.

An old chestnut is something familiar and often repeated, especially a joke, anecdote, or argument. People use it when they want to point out that the idea is not new and may feel tired or predictable. It is common in conversation, especially in British English, and often carries a mildly critical tone.

Examples

He tried to lighten the mood with an old chestnut, but nobody laughed.
That’s an old chestnut—people have been making that argument for years.
She groaned when her uncle came out with the old chestnut again.
The columnist recycled the old chestnut about young people and phones.
We’ve heard that old chestnut so many times it’s become a running joke.

Common mistake

Learners sometimes use old chestnut to mean an actual nut or a very old object, but it usually refers to a repeated joke, story, or idea.