ENGLISH
REFERENCE

old stick

idiom
Meaning

A person.


Examples
SIMPLE

He is a funny old stick.

CONTEXTUAL

My neighbor is a bit of an old stick, but he always shares his garden vegetables.

COMPLEX

Though he appeared to be a grumpy old stick at first glance, his stories about the war revealed a man of surprising depth and kindness.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    any old nook or cranny

    Alternative form of any nook or cranny.

  2. 02

    bad old days

    The past, seen as a time when things were worse.

  3. 03

    beat off with a stick

    To reject (a person making an unwanted amorous approach).

  4. 04

    beat with the ugly stick

    Used to describe someone who is particularly ugly or unattractive.

  5. 05

    big old

    Emphatically or impressively big; really big.

  6. 06

    carrot and stick

    The simultaneous rewarding of good behavior and punishing of bad behavior.

  7. 07

    chip off the old block

    Someone who takes after one of their parents; (generally) a person similar to another.

  8. 08

    clue stick

    A metaphorical stick used to beat information or understanding into a slow learner.

Last updated April 17, 2026