force of habit
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of force of habit
First recorded in 1920–25
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Our ideals seem to recede in the face of reality, a certain force of habit takes over, and the difficulties that once seemed unimaginable appear to challenge our fidelity.”
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 6, 2023
Perhaps it was force of habit that when Paul George discussed how the Clippers could manage their deep roster’s looming crunch for playing time Monday, the star forward called on using “the Team USA approach.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2022
Perhaps it was record-company jitters, or force of habit for Grande as a lifelong pro.
From Slate ● Feb. 8, 2019
What do you need and what are you just keeping around from force of habit?
From Washington Post ● Jun. 1, 2018
Jon pushed himself onto an elbow, his hand reaching for Longclaw by force of habit as the camp began to stir.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
