# Queen Anne's dead

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/queen-annes-dead
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

That is yesterday's news; everybody knows that already.

## Examples

- Don't tell me that; Queen Anne's dead.
- Everyone knows the price went up; Queen Anne's dead.
- You are telling me the store is closing, but Queen Anne's dead; we heard that weeks ago.
- My brother tried to explain how the movie ends, but I told him Queen Anne's dead because I saw it last summer.
- She ran into the office to report the new schedule, only for her boss to reply that Queen Anne's dead and the emails were already sent.
- When he excitedly announced the merger as if it were a fresh secret, his colleagues simply sighed and reminded him that Queen Anne's dead.

## Origin

The expression originates from the death of Anne, Queen of Great Britain, in 1714. It emerged as a sardonic response to those who would deliver the news of her passing long after it had become common knowledge. Having occupied the throne during a period of significant political instability, the Queen managed to die with such finality that the announcement of the event soon became the standard for any report of an obsolete or entirely obvious nature.

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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.