it's the same old story

it's the same old story

What is about to be or has just been mentioned is nothing new; it is a situation that happens repeatedly. A chief executive found guilty of fraud? It's the same old story. They always think they'll get away with it.
See also: old, same, story

same old story

something that occurs or has occurred in the same way often. Jim's got no money. It's the same old story. He's spent it all on clothing. The company is getting rid of workers. It's the same old story—a shortage of orders.
See also: old, same, story

same old story, the

Also, the same old rigmarole. A frequently recurring event or situation, as in It's the same old story-they won't hire you without experience but how can you get experience if you're not hired? Both these expressions originally alluded to a tiresome, rambling discourse but today are used mainly for an irksome recurrence. The first gained currency during World War II with a song, "As Time Goes By," popularized in the film Casablanca (1942).
See also: old, same

it’s the (same) old ˈstory

something unpleasant or bad which happens again and again: He says we haven’t got enough money for a trip overseas. It’s the same old story every year.
See also: old, story

same old story

n. an often repeated story or situation. It’s the same old story. Boy meets girl, girl gets consumption, girl dies.
See also: old, same, story
References in periodicals archive ?
It's the same old story all over the country where in many cases petty inter-county rivalries block social and economic progress involving moving boundaries.
HURL TO PAY ON BORDERS
It's the same old story, the super rich, the elite, the establishment getting richer while the rest of us face austerity.
Austerity isn't for everyone WE [...]; LETTERS
It's the same old story these un-named leaches bleed the Local NHS dry of funds and the rest of us prepare to die in ambulances, or waiting in queues to be treated, due to the lack of funds, while they sip coffee in numerous meetings, achieving nothing and holidaying in Barbados.
TWEETS & POSTS
But barring the spark shown in the victory in the second Test at Lord's last month, it's the same old story.
Team India sorely lacks fighting spirit
AFTER all the pre-World Cup optimism, it's the same old story for England.
England have no defence..
It's the same old story of agencies that are meant to protect the environment protecting the corporations instead.
Anywhere row
But it's the same old story, we're not consistent enough defending as a team.
EVO-STIK FIRST DIVISION NORTH
We have got a lot of games to play and we have to try and get as many points as we can but it's the same old story, out of the group.
Qualification blow for Wales
It's the same old story of misguided municipal socialism: Valley residents commit less crime, so they get inferior police services; Valley students perform better in class, so they get no help; Valley taxpayers pay more so they get less back.
EDITORIAL LEFT OUT WHY SHOULDN'T VALLEY REAP BENEFITS OF REFORM?
CHICAGO-Year in, year out, it's the same old story.
ALL THE NEWS AT THE HOUSEWARES SHOW
DAN: I think it's the same old story, there's obviously a requirement to add value to any successful product.
Personalizing The NAS Space
Stu Defeat by Leeds United disappointing but I know we are good enough to be competitive in Championship says Huddersfield Town boss Chris Powell It's the same old story, no money for transfers, yet we sell both Pelts and Ward and yet there's still no money.
TWEETS & POSTS
We've just got a lot of games to play and get as many points as we can but it's the same old story, we're out of the group.
THEY THINK IT'S ALL OVER ... IT IS NOW; 'Where we go from here, God knows', says Bellamy
It's the same old story - sales down significantly, home prices creeping up,'' said Jack Kyser, chief economist at the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp.
SALES ARE DOWN, BUT PRICES UP REPORT FINDS MORE HOME MARKETS ON THE DECLINE
While Cameron frantically tries to dupe voters, here at home it's the same old story and the same old nasty party.
Your Say - To The Point
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