[Idiom] YOU CAN'T TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS. - Challenges of Learning New Skills Later in Life
You can't teach an old dog new tricks.
change is harder with age
The phrase 'You can't teach an old dog new tricks' is a common idiom used to suggest that it is difficult for older people or animals to learn new skills or adapt to changes. This idiom plays on the typical observation that learning tends to be easier when one is younger, much like training a young puppy compared to an older dog. However, it's used metaphorically to address humans, implying that older individuals are often set in their ways and resistant to change. While not always true, and often challenged by examples of vibrant, learning-focused seniors, it captures the general struggle against introducing new routines or ideas later in life.
Example Sentences
You can't teach an old dog new tricks, and he's stuck in his ways.
He is unwilling to change his ways because of long-standing habits.
They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks for a reason.
There is a reason the saying exists, as change is difficult with age.
She's proof that you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
She exemplifies that it is hard to change old habits.