what does this phrase mean?

Question

i've heard the phrase/cliche "they're old hat". what does it mean? is it considered a cliche? have you heard it before?

Answer 1

I have heard it before.old hat means: old school, old fashioned,passe or outdated.I think it is just a phrase.

Answer 2

cli·ché /kliˈʃeɪ, klɪ-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[klee-shey, kli-] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. a trite, stereotyped expression; a sentence or phrase, usually expressing a popular or common thought or idea, that has lost originality, ingenuity, and impact by long overuse, as sadder but wiser, or strong as an ox.
2. (in art, literature, drama, etc.) a trite or hackneyed plot, character development, use of color, musical expression, etc.
3. anything that has become trite or commonplace through overuse.
4. British Printing. a. a stereotype or electrotype plate.
b. a reproduction made in a like manner.

–adjective 5. trite; hackneyed; stereotyped; clichéd.

Also, cli·che.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Origin: 1825–35; < F: stereotype plate, stencil, cliché, n. use of ptp. of clicher to make such a plate, said to be imit. of the sound of the metal pressed against the matrix]


—Synonyms 1. platitude, bromide, stereotype, commonplace.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source cli·ché also cliche (klē-shā') Pronunciation Key
n.
A trite or overused expression or idea: "Even while the phrase was degenerating to cliché in ordinary public use . . . scholars were giving it increasing attention" (Anthony Brandt).
A person or character whose behavior is predictable or superficial: "There is a young explorer . . . who turns out not to be quite the cliche expected" (John Crowley).

Answer 3

Old here refers to comfort zone. As in as "comfortable as a pair of old broken in boots." So it means basically "the old norm and and most folks are comfortable with that."

Answer 4

It means the same as they are old fashion, not up to date, not with the times.

Answer 5

It means like it old style its like saying its old school

Answer 6

An old idea or fashion.

Check this site here: http://bits.westhost.com/idioms/id430.htm