same old

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a nouninformaldisapproving

   Unchanged and familiar, in a way that feels dull or tiring because it keeps happening.

   Grammar: Placed before a noun: the same old excuses; also with the, same old story.

   Patterns

   • the same old something

   He gave the same old excuses about being stuck in traffic.

   I'm tired of the same old routine of work and television.

   The menu offers the same old burgers and fries.

2. 2phrasefixed phraseinformal

   Used as a reply to say that nothing new is happening in your life.

   Grammar: Often doubled: same old, same old.

   Patterns

   • same old, same old

   "How's work?" "Oh, same old, same old."

   Not much to report, just the same old.

   "Anything new?" "Same old."

Common combinations

same old story

It's the same old story every election year.

same old routine

She got tired of the same old routine.

same old excuses

Don't give me the same old excuses.

same old, same old

"What's new?" "Same old, same old."

the same old faces

The same old faces appeared at the club.

Synonyms and how they differ

unchanged

Unchanged is neutral and does not suggest boredom the way same old does.

routine

Routine describes regular habits and can be neutral, while same old shows dislike.

repetitive

Repetitive stresses repeating again and again, in a more formal tone.

stale

Stale means no longer fresh or interesting.

Opposites

Word family

same adjective

not different

sameness noun

a boring lack of variety

old adjective

not new

Commonly confused: same old or as usual?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “same old”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words