old news

USAGE SUMMARY

'old news' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that has already happened and is no longer of interest or relevance. For example: "The election results are old news; let's talk about something else."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Older News = Old news that was posted.

WikiHow

Campsites are old news.

The New Yorker

It's old news".

Independent

"Tobacco is old news".

The New York Times

Old news Results/New?

University of California, Berkeley

They're all old news.

University of California, Berkeley

Watching TV is old news.

The New York Times

But that is old news.

The New York Times - Sports

All this is old news.

The New Yorker

Well, that's old news.

The Guardian

But that's old news.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "old news" to dismiss a topic as already known or irrelevant. It's effective in shifting conversations or emphasizing new developments.

Common error

Avoid using "old news" when introducing a foundation or background information that is necessary to understand a current situation. The phrase can prematurely shut down important context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "old news" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun (often implied) to indicate that it is no longer current, interesting, or relevant. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

16%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "old news" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that is no longer current or relevant. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to dismiss topics or shift focus, carrying a neutral to informal tone. Alternatives include "yesterday's news" or "outdated information". Use it judiciously to avoid undermining necessary context, ensuring your communication remains clear and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Yesterday's news

Emphasizes that the information is outdated and no longer important.

Last week's news

Highlights the recency of when something was current, but no longer is.

Outdated information

Focuses on the fact that the information is no longer accurate or up-to-date.

No longer relevant

Directly states that the information is no longer applicable or important.

Stale information

Suggests the information is not only old but also uninteresting or unoriginal.

Ancient history

Implies the topic is from a long time ago and irrelevant to the present.

A thing of the past

Indicates the subject belongs to a previous era and is no longer in use or existence.

Water under the bridge

Suggests an event is over and done with, and should not be dwelled upon.

Been there, done that

Expresses familiarity and lack of interest in a topic that has been extensively covered.

passé

Borrowed from French and indicates something that is out of fashion or no longer trendy.

FAQs

How can I use "old news" in a sentence?

You can use "old news" to indicate that something is no longer relevant or interesting. For example: "That scandal is "old news"; let's focus on current events."

What's a more formal alternative to "old news"?

In more formal settings, you could say "outdated information" or "no longer relevant" to convey a similar meaning without the dismissive tone.

Is it ever appropriate to present "old news"?

Yes, "old news" can be useful when providing background or context, or when comparing past situations with current ones. Just ensure the audience understands why you're bringing it up.

What's the difference between "old news" and "yesterday's news"?

"Old news" is a general term for something no longer current, while "yesterday's news" specifically refers to information that was recently in the headlines but is now outdated.