# old wine in a new bottle

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/old-wine-in-a-new-bottle
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

An existing concept or institution offered as though it were a new one.

## Examples

- This new plan is just old wine in a new bottle.
- The company rebranded their old software, but it is really just old wine in a new bottle.
- Critics argued that the politician's latest policy proposal was merely old wine in a new bottle, offering no real solutions to the underlying economic crisis.

## Origin

A reference to the parable of Jesus of New Wine into Old Wineskins, Matthew 9:14–17, Mark 2:21–22, and Luke 5:33–39.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.