ENGLISH
REFERENCE

put new wine in old bottles

idiom
Meaning

To introduce a new idea, method, or innovation into an established, outdated or inflexible system or organization.


Origin

disputed origin

From new wine in an old bottle.

Examples
SIMPLE

You cannot put new wine in old bottles to fix this company.

CONTEXTUAL

The board tried to modernize the firm, but putting new wine in old bottles failed because the culture remained rigid.

COMPLEX

By attempting to implement radical digital reforms within such a stagnant bureaucracy, the director was merely putting new wine in old bottles.

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

    big old

    Emphatically or impressively big; really big.

  4. 04

    chip off the old block

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

  5. 05

    come the old soldier

    Often followed by with: to deceive, impose upon, or take advantage of someone, as if exploiting one's superior age or experience.

  6. 06

    dawn of a new day

    A new beginning; a fresh start; an important, promising turning point.

  7. 07

    emperor's new clothes

    Something obvious and embarrassing that is politely ignored or that goes unacknowledged.

  8. 08

    every old nook and cranny

    Alternative form of every nook and cranny.

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