English Expression · Intermediate
old hat
Something regarded as very familiar and unoriginal, hackneyed, or out of date
Pronunciation: /ˌəʊl(d)ˈhæt/
Meaning
Something regarded as very familiar and unoriginal, hackneyed, or out of date.
Example
Oliver. What was the address about, to begin with? / Willie. Oh, the same old hat—Freedom.
Oliver. What was the address about, to begin with? / Willie. Oh, the same old hat—Freedom.
Practice tips
- Practice old hat out loud — read the pronunciation guide above and repeat.
- Use it in your own sentence today; reuse beats rereading.
- Pay attention to context: this English expression is for intermediate-level learners.