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the oldest trick in the book
01
an overused method that may still succeed
Idiom
Informal
What is the origin of the idiom "the oldest trick in the book" and when to use it?
The idiom "the oldest trick in the book" refers to a clever or deceptive tactic that has been used for a very long time and is well-known for its effectiveness. The phrase is used to imply that the trick or method in question is so widely recognized that it is no longer surprising or effective because it has been overused or is too obvious.
Examples
Pretending the price will go up tomorrow is the oldest trick in the book.
