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Describing Qualities - Old & New Things

Explore English idioms regarding old or new things with examples like "old hat" and "cutting edge".

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English Idioms used to Describe Qualities
old shoe
old shoe
[phrase]

something or someone that is familiar, comfortable, and easy to be around

Ex: The little café felt like an old shoe the moment I walked in. 
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cutting edge

the forefront or leading position in a particular field or area of activity, characterized by the most advanced or innovative practices, technologies, or ideas

Ex: Their lab is at the cutting edge of cancer research. 
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all singing, all dancing

(of a piece of equipment) very advanced in design

Ex: They installed an all singing, all dancing security system in the office. 
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(last|final) word
last word
[phrase]

something that is considered the most fashionable or advanced in comparison with others of the same type

Ex: This watch is the last word in luxury. 
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the shape of things to come

a short glance of what one is likely to experience or what might happen in the future

Ex: The pilot program may be the shape of things to come in public transport. 
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breath of fresh air

someone or something that presents a refreshing change compared to what existed before

Ex: After months of dull meetings, her ideas were a breath of fresh air. 
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to [fall] to pieces

to age gradually, leading to a state of poor or declining condition

Ex: The old sofa is falling to pieces after twenty years of use. 
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in mint condition

(of objects) in a perfect or unharmed condition

Ex: The old camera is still in mint condition. 
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old hat
old hat
[phrase]

used to describe something that has been used many times or has existed for an extended period of time and is no longer new

Ex: Video calls are old hat for students now. 
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to [gather|collect] dust

to be ignored or left unused for a very long time

Ex: My guitar has been gathering dust in the closet for years. 
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bricks and clicks

a business that has both real physical stores and also sells products or services online through a website or app

Ex: The company moved from online-only sales to a bricks and clicks model. 
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hot off the press

(of a paper, particularly a newspaper) recently printed

Ex: The morning paper was hot off the press when it arrived at the café. 
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to [go|fall] out of (fashion|style)

to become outdated and no longer liked or supported

Ex: Wide ties went out of fashion years ago. 
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