old habits die hard

American  

[ohld hab-its dahy hahrd] / ˈoʊld ˈhæb ɪts ˈdaɪ ˈhɑrd /

idiom

1. (used when someone is finding it difficult to change a long-standing pattern of behavior).

   I still have to consciously work on slowing down when I eat—old habits die hard.

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Etymology

Origin of old habits die hard

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Two reality-check losses have shown old habits die hard.

From Los Angeles Times

“Old habits die hard, and traditions are really sacred. These college programs, they’re older than most pro teams. You have such fervent loyal, passionate, engaged fans. There’s definitely a segment of fan bases at some schools that have some pause.”

From Los Angeles Times

“But old habits die hard, and the thought of a ‘final score’ kept him up at night,” DeKrey wrote.

From Seattle Times

“Old habits die hard,” says Ann Marie Navar, a preventive cardiologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

From Seattle Times

Still, parking is a low-margin business, and old habits die hard, even in a time of scarcity.

From Slate