old news

old news — idiom

1. information that has been known for so long that it is no longer surprising, int

1.慣用語B2
釋義

information that has been known for so long that it is no longer surprising, interesting, or worth discussing.

例句

Mert's resignation was old news around the office within an hour.

be + old news + time phrase

By the time Nora heard the rumours, they were already old news to everyone else.

old news + to + person (recipient)

同義詞
  • yesterday's news

    same register and meaning, slightly more informal

  • common knowledge

    broader — implies everyone knows, not just that it's no longer exciting

  • outdated

    more general; can apply to fashion, technology, or information

反義詞

文法句型

be + old news

be + old news + to + person

用法筆記

Nearly always used as a predicate after the verb 'be' or 'become'. Adding 'to [someone]' specifies who already knows. Common in dismissive or shrugging contexts where the speaker implies the information is not worth reacting to.

常見錯誤

My grandmother is old news.
The story about the parade is old news.
💡'Old news' describes information or a topic that has lost its novelty, not a person's age or value.