be up to (one's) (old) tricks
be up to (one's) (old) tricks
To be doing things that one was known for doing in the past, especially deceitful or mischievous behavior. Food went missing from the school cafeteria? It sounds like Billy is up to his tricks again. I reunited with my two best friends after nearly five years apart, and we were up to our old tricks again in no time.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
be up to your (old) ˈtricks
(informal, disapproving) be acting in your usual way, which the speaker does not like: Tom’s just been released from prison — he’ll soon be up to his old tricks again, I expect.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017