Bad/old habits die hard

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New2grammar  #320300  Fri, 26 Jan 07 02:32 PM

I know there is a say 'old habits die hard' but is there also a say 'bad habits die hard'?

  
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Lil' Ruby Rose  #320301  Fri, 26 Jan 07 02:36 PM

The traditional expression, as you rightly say, is 'old habits die hard', not 'bad habits...'.

Other similar expressions:

It's a hard habit to break.

A leopard can't change his spots.

You can't teach an old dog new tricks.

  
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CalifJim  #320379  Fri, 26 Jan 07 06:34 PM
is there also a say saying 'bad habits die hard'?
No, not that I know of.
CJ

  
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Anonymous  #320585  Sat, 27 Jan 07 08:58 AM

A: You are biting your nails.

B: You can't teach an old dog new tricks!

What will A's reaction be? Does this saying make the conversation funnier, therefore, A might smile back to B?

  
New2grammar  #320586  Sat, 27 Jan 07 09:01 AM

A: You are biting your nails.

B: You can't teach an old dog new tricks!

What will A's reaction be? Does this saying make the conversation funnier, therefore, A might smile back to B?

PS: CJ, thanks for correcting my mistake. I thought 'say' and 'saying' were interchangable.

  
nona the brit  #320610  Sat, 27 Jan 07 10:27 AM
No, it doesn't work in this context. It is a similar saying to 'old habits die hard' but not exactly the same. IT sounds odd here.
  
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New2grammar  #320853  Sun, 28 Jan 07 06:36 AM

I have looked it up on the internet. It seems like the saying 'You can't teach an old dog new tricks' means one is slow in learning new skills, while 'Old habits die hard' means one have difficulty in getting rid of one's bad habit.

So, elderly can say 'Don't waste your time teaching me how to use e-mail because you can't teach an old dog new tricks'. Am I right?

  
nona the brit  #320996  Sun, 28 Jan 07 04:00 PM
Yes, that's a good example.
  
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