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New Wine in an Old Bottle

What Does "New Wine in an Old Bottle" Mean?

homeidiomsNew Wine in an Old Bottle
"New wine in an old bottle" is an English idiom, referring to a situation where something new or innovative is presented in a familiar or traditional way.

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "new wine in an old bottle" used in a sentence:
  • The classic novel was reissued with new illustrations, presenting new wine in an old bottle to attract a modern audience.
  • The chef experimented with innovative cooking techniques but served the dishes in a traditional setting—a case of new wine in an old bottle.
  • The marketing campaign used a vintage aesthetic to introduce a cutting-edge product, offering new wine in an old bottle to create a sense of nostalgia.
meaning for new wine in an old bottle

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "New Wine in an Old Bottle" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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