The idiom "teach an old dog new tricks" means that it is difficult to change the habits or behavior of someone who is set in their ways, especially if they are older. It is often used to describe a situation where someone is resistant to change or learning something new.
For example, if you have a grandfather who has been smoking for 50 years, it might be difficult to convince him to quit smoking because he is used to doing it and doesn't see the need to change. In this case, you could say "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" to describe his resistance to change.
This idiom can also be used in a more positive way, to encourage people to keep learning and growing throughout their lives. It is important to remember that even though it may be more difficult to learn new things as we get older, it is never too late to try.
In summary, "teach an old dog new tricks" means that it is difficult to change someone's habits or behavior, especially if they are set in their ways. It is a reminder that we should always be open to learning and growing, no matter our age.
• My boss is so stuck in his ways, he won't even try a new approach to the project. I guess you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
• My professor is so set in his ways that he refuses to incorporate new technology in his lectures. I guess you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
• I'm sorry but I can't teach my grandfather how to use the internet. You know what they say, you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
• My uncle is set in his ways and won't even consider changing his diet to be healthier. I think he believes you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
• My parents refuse to learn how to operate their new smartphone. I keep telling them they need to keep up with the times but they always say you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
• Even though he's been in the industry for over 30 years, my colleague refuses to learn any new skills. He always says you can't teach an old dog new tricks.