What does tried-and-true mean? Tried-and-true is used to describe things that are known to work or be reliable due to having been tested or having worked many times before. The term uses the sense of the word true meaning reliable and unfailing. Tried-and-true is most often used to describe methods, tools, or other things that someone believes to be reliable because they’ve used many times before and they’ve always worked. It’s often used in situations in which someone wants to continue using the same method or tool they’ve been using to do something instead of trying something new that they’re unfamiliar with (even if it may work better). It’s sometimes used without hyphens, as tried and true. However, if it’s used immediately before a noun, it’s usually hyphenated, as in a tried-and-true method for getting out stains. Example: Why should we try a new recipe for chocolate chip cookies when we could just stick to the one that’s tried-and-true and that we’ve used for years?
First recorded in 1930–35
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
They do this by employing the tried-and-true tactics of the insurance industry of unjustifiable bureaucratic decisions, superpowered by artificial intelligence: prior authorizations, unnecessary delays, claim denials, unreasonable reimbursements.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
The strategy is also a moneymaker for networks and streaming services, as tried-and-true content comes with minimal financial risk -- and often huge fan interest.
From Barron's ● Apr. 8, 2026
For some listeners, “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally” may seem like an unwelcome shift away from the tried-and-true pop sensibilities of “Harry’s House.”
From Salon ● Mar. 6, 2026
And the top gifting categories do remain the tried-and-true ones, according to the NRF — namely, candy, greeting cards, flowers, jewelry and treating your loved one to an evening out.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 13, 2026
I find the rituals comforting—the tried-and-true hymns, sermons by the mild- mannered, slope-shouldered reverend that emphasize decency and good manners.
From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline
The new creations entered the repertory amid a number of authoritative performances of tried and true ballets—mostly by the troupe’s incomparable founding choreographer George Balanchine.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 9, 2026
He liked the tried and true “blue team-red team” strategy of designating people to explicitly challenge models and assumptions to overcome institutional biases.
From Barron's ● Feb. 1, 2026
When Habba’s days were numbered, Trump could still count on a tried and true ally: a former insurance lawyer from Florida with absolutely no experience securing grand jury indictments.
From Salon ● Dec. 14, 2025
Beyond the tried and true method of wearing multiple layers of clothing indoors instead of turning up the heat to stay cozy, other free ways experts suggest to keep heating costs down this winter include:
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 10, 2025
His boxy old Speed Graphic was tried and true the shop,” Darrel said as he helped his date into the pickup truck. liaison.
From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner
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.
