Old saw Meaning in English
expression
ˈoʊɫd/ /ˈsɔ
OHLD SAW
ˈəʊld/ /sˈɔː
OHLD SAW
Definition
An 'old saw' is a traditional saying or proverb, especially one that is very familiar or repeated often.
Usage & Nuances
Usually used in formal or literary contexts; often interchangeable with 'old saying' or 'proverb.' Can sometimes imply the saying is overused or a cliché. Less common in casual conversation.
Spanish: refrán antiguo - dicho antiguoPortuguese (BR): ditado antigo - provérbio antigoPortuguese (PT): provérbio antigo - ditado antigoChinese (Simplified): 老掉牙的格言 - 老话Chinese (Traditional): 陳腔濫調格言 - 老話Hindi: पुरानी कहावतArabic: مثل قديم - قول مأثور قديمBengali: পুরনো প্রবাদ - পুরনো কথাRussian: старая поговорка - старый афоризмJapanese: 古いことわざ - 昔の格言Vietnamese: tục ngữ cũ - lời nói cũKorean: 옛 속담 - 오래된 격언Turkish: eski atasözü - eski sözUrdu: پرانا محاورہ - پرانی کہاوتIndonesian: pepatah lama - peribahasa lama
Example Sentences
My grandmother loves to repeat that old saw about early birds catching the worm.
basic
There's an old saw that says, 'A stitch in time saves nine.'
basic
That old saw doesn't always apply to modern life.
basic
You know the old saw: 'When it rains, it pours.'
natural
He brushed off her advice, calling it just another old saw.
natural
People still cling to that old saw, even though things have changed so much.
natural