______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Learn more English in a Minute
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Introduction
Think you can learn English without trying? Come on. You’re old enough to know better than that! There are a few phrases in English with the word ‘old’. Learn some of them here with Georgie and then practise using the quiz.
Phrases with 'old'
the oldest trick in the book
a method that has been used many times before
- To distract her opponent, she tried the oldest trick in the book. She shouted, "Look over there!"
same old story
the same bad situation happens again and again
- How’s my dating life? It’s the same old story… I’m rejected every time I ask someone out.
old enough to know better
too old to make these kinds of mistakes
- He left the house without his keys, so I told him he’s old enough to know better than that.
for old time’s sake
to remember something from the past
- You loved going to that beach when you were younger. Let’s go back there this summer, for old time’s sake.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Download a free transcript!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
TRANSCRIPT
Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.
Georgie
Your dog ate your homework? Come on. That's theoldest trick in the book.
The oldest trick in the book means a method that has been used many times before.
To scare me, she did the oldest trick in the book – she hid behind the door and shouted, "Boo!"
Say, "It's the same old story," when the same bad situation happens again and again.
I've applied for lots of jobs, but they all say I need more experience. It's the same old story each time.
If you tell someone they're old enough to know better, you mean that they're too old to make these kinds of mistakes.
You didn't check your pockets before putting your jeans in the washing machine? You're old enough to know better than that.
And lastly, if you do something for old time's sake, you do it to remember something from the past.
We went back to the restaurant we used to go to at university for old time's sake.
Now it's your turn! Try making some sentences with these phrases to practise!
Next
Learn more idiomatic language in The English We Speak.
Find our latest programmes here.
የቅርብ English in a Minute Series 5
Phrases with 'old'
Episode 260526 / 26 May 2026
Forgetting vocab? Is it the same old story each time you have an English conversation? Come and practise these phrases to help!
Phrases with 'class'
Episode 260519 / 19 May 2026
Practise these phrases and you'll soon be in a class of your own!
Phrases with 'speak'
Episode 260512 / 12 May 2026
If you practise these phrases, it will speak volumes about your dedication to learning English.
Phrases with 'keep'
Episode 260505 / 05 May 2026
Keep up with the rest of your classmates with these four phrases!
Phrases with 'game'
Episode 260428 / 28 Apr 2026
Read this and you'll soon be on the top of your game!
Phrases with 'life'
Episode 260324 / 24 Mar 2026
We hope this video reaches people from all walks of life!
Phrases with 'look'
Episode 260317 / 17 Mar 2026
Learning a language is hard, but look on the bright side! You have the BBC Learning English team to help
Phrases with 'day'
Episode 260310 / 10 Mar 2026
Is learning English phrases all in a day's work for you? Learn this 'day' phrase and more here.
Phrases with 'end'
Episode 260303 / 03 Mar 2026
It's time to learn some English phrases – end of story!
Phrases with 'money'
Episode 260224 / 24 Feb 2026
Money doesn't grow on trees, so it's lucky this lesson is free!
Phrases with 'hand'
Episode 260210 / 10 Feb 2026
What does it mean when something gets 'out of hand'?
Phrases with 'eye'
Episode 260203 / 02 Feb 2026
Don’t turn a blind eye to these phrases – learn them here!
Phrases with 'cards'
Episode 260120 / 20 Jan 2026
Knowledge of more phrases is on the cards if you watch this video
Phrases with 'bone'
Episode 251202 / 02 Dec 2025
You'll love these phrases – I can feel it in my bones!
Phrases with 'cake'
Episode 251125 / 25 Nov 2025
Learning English is a piece of cake with BBC Learning English!
Phrases with 'wind'
Episode 251111 / 11 Nov 2025
It's time to throw caution to the wind and learn some phrases to use with 'wind'.
Phrases with 'pull'
Episode 251021 / 21 Oct 2025
Pull out all the stops and learn four phrases with 'pull' here.
Phrases with 'look'
Episode 250930 / 30 Sep 2025
Look the part with these four expressions with 'look'
Phrases with 'hit'
Episode 250916 / 16 Sep 2025
Learn these phrases this week to hit the ground running next week!
Phrases with 'fire'
Episode 250805 / 05 Aug 2025
Learn these phrases, and you'll be on fire in your English conversations!
Phrases with 'stone'
Episode 250715 / 15 Jul 2025
Leave no stone unturned when it comes to your English study!
Phrases with 'blue'
Episode 250708 / 11 Jul 2025
How many 'blue' phrases do you know? Learn three more here.
Phrases with 'ice'
Episode 250701 / 11 Jul 2025
Don't put your learning on ice – learn these phrases with 'ice' today!
