old saw

Idioms and Phrases

A proverb or maxim, as in Mom's always repeating the old saw, “Haste makes waste.” This term uses saw in the sense of “saying,” and old in the sense of “wise” rather than old-fashioned. [Second half of 1400s]

Example Sentences

The old saw in presidential campaigns was: which candidate would you rather have a beer with?

From Salon

The old saw that "states are the laboratories of democracy" has long been one of the rationales for states' rights adherents to excuse their anti-democratic behavior.

From Salon

The old saw that "states are the laboratories of democracy" has long been one of the rationales for states' rights adherents to excuse their anti-democratic behavior.

From Salon

“The first casualty when war comes is truth,” as the old saw has it.

From Slate

That tired old saw goes back to the Reagan administration which popularized a quack theory called "supply side economics" championed by economist Arthur Laffer.

From Salon

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