Idiom

Old chestnut

What does "Old chestnut" mean?

A story that has been told repeatedly and which has lost any originality.

Old chestnut

Britain - 19th century.

A story that has been told repeatedly and which has lost any originality.

Worldwide, but most common in the UK.

  • Grandma brings out that story about her meeting the Queen every Christmas. It really is a hoary old chestnut.