you can't teach an old dog new tricks

English

Etymology

A form of (obsolete) "An old dog will learn no tricks."

Proverb

you can't teach an old dog new tricks

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

Synonyms

• old habits die hard

Antonyms

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

Despite the age, don't give up learning.

Translations

too old to change

• Czech: starého psa novým kouskům nenaučíš (cs)
• Danish: man kan ikke lære en gammel hund nye kunster (da)
• Estonian: vanale koerale juba uusi trikke ei õpeta
• Finnish: vanhalle koiralle ei voi opettaa uusia temppuja
• French: on n'apprend pas aux vieux singes à faire la grimace (fr), ce n'est pas aux vieux singes qu'on apprend à faire la grimace (fr)
• Icelandic: (teaching an old dog to sit is a daunting task ) það er erfitt að kenna gömlum hundi að sitja (is)

• Norwegian: man kan ikke lære en gammel hund apport (no)
• Scottish Gaelic: an t-aon nach teagaisgear ris a' ghlùin chan fhoghlamar ris an uilinn
• Swedish: man kan inte lära gamla hundar sitta (sv)
• Telugu: కుక్కతోక వంకర తీయలేము
• Thai: ไม้อ่อนดัดง่าย ไม้แก่ดัดยาก (th)
• Turkish: ağaç yaşken eğilir (tr)