Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

you can't teach an old dog new tricks

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.98 in modern English

Syllables: you -can't teach an old -dog new tricks
IPA

51

Scrabble Score

29

Letters

3

Syllables

17

Unique Chars

Meaning

proverb

It is impossible to change people's habits, traits, or mindset.

Etymology

A form of the now-obsolete An old dog will learn no tricks.

Phrases

a leopard cannot change his spots old habits die hard there's life in the old dog yet you can't put an old head on young shoulders

Frequently Paired Words

a leopard cannot change his spots old habits die hard there's life in the old dog yet you can't put an old head on young shoulders

Antonyms

it's never too late to mend you're never too old to learn

Questions

What does you can't teach an old dog new tricks mean?: It is impossible to change people's habits, traits, or mindset.
Where does you can't teach an old dog new tricks come from?: A form of the now-obsolete An old dog will learn no tricks.

How to pronounce you can't teach an old dog new tricks

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