reopen old wounds
To cause the memory of past trauma to be recalled, resulting in renewed suffering.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Talking about the past only reopens old wounds.”
“The reporter asked the politician about the scandal, which only served to reopen old wounds for the community.”
“By insisting on a public inquiry into the failed merger, the board members inadvertently reopened old wounds that had finally begun to heal after years of corporate instability.”
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any old nook or cranny
Alternative form of any nook or cranny.
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bad old days
The past, seen as a time when things were worse.
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big old
Emphatically or impressively big; really big.
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chip off the old block
Someone who takes after one of their parents; (generally) a person similar to another.
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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.
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every old nook and cranny
Alternative form of every nook and cranny.
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give someone the old heave-ho
Alternative form of give someone the heave-ho.
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green old age
A person's elderly years that are active or full of vitality.
Last updated August 10, 2026