set in ways
set in ways
also fixed in ways
Meaning:
- leading a fixed lifestyle
- do things the same way every time
- not wanting to change habit or routine
- living according to own customs and patterns
Example:
- People tend to get set in their ways as they grow older.
- His grandparents are set in their ways. They won’t use technology for their daily routine.
- After having lived alone for years, she was set in her ways.
- If he had not been so set in his ways, he would have understood his teen-aged nephew better.
- He is so set in his ways that it is difficult to get him out of the house except when he usually goes out.
- Old people are usually set in their ways and youngsters have a disregard for order. No wonder they don’t usually get along.
- Although she was set in her ways, once a while she would break her routine to accompany her niece to the theatre.
- Having retired a few years back, he was getting set in his ways.
Origin:
The origin of this phrase is not known.
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I am in complete agreement with you, Ron. The original “set in her ways” has been corrupted with “his ways”, “their ways”, etc.
Ted Miller, an old seadog
‒ Ted Miller March 5, 2024
I always assumed this was a nautical reference, referring to the ways in which a ship sits while being built or repaired. When they go to release it, it is stuck because it was there so long.
‒ Ron Benton December 20, 2023