Old chestnut Meaning in English
expression
ˈoʊɫd/ /ˈtʃɛsˌnət/, /ˈtʃɛstˌnət
OLD CHES-nut
ˈəʊld/ /tʃˈɛstnʌt
OHLD CHES-nut
Definition
A joke, story, or idea that has been repeated so many times that it is no longer interesting or funny.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and often humorous; 'old chestnut' is typically used dismissively when someone brings up a tired topic, especially a joke or anecdote. Common pattern: 'That's an old chestnut!' Rarely means an actual chestnut.
Spanish: chiste viejo - historia repetidaPortuguese (BR): piada velha - história repetidaPortuguese (PT): piada velha - história repetidaChinese (Simplified): 老梗 - 老笑话Chinese (Traditional): 老梗 - 老笑話Hindi: पुराना चुटकुला - बासी किस्साArabic: نكتة مكررة - قصة قديمةBengali: পুরনো গল্প - শেষ হয়ে যাওয়া কৌতুকRussian: затёртая шутка - избитая историяJapanese: 使い古された話 - 定番のジョークVietnamese: chuyện cũ rích - câu đùa xưa như trái đấtKorean: 진부한 이야기 - 식상한 농담Turkish: eskimiş espri - bayat hikâyeUrdu: پُرانا لطیفہ - گھسا پٹا قصہIndonesian: lelucon basi - cerita usang
Example Sentences
Oh, not that old chestnut again!
basic
He told the old chestnut about the chicken crossing the road.
basic
That story is an old chestnut by now.
basic
Whenever Uncle Joe visits, he brings up that old chestnut about his college days.
natural
Come on, dad, that’s an old chestnut—tell us something new!
natural
You know it's just an old chestnut when nobody laughs anymore.
natural