it's the old story

it's the same old story

Used to indicate something that happens or is said over and over again. A: "The chief executive officer was found guilty of fraud." B: "It's the same old story, these billionaire con artists thinking they can get away with anything." Whenever I bring up the idea of renovating the house to her, it's always the same old story about not having enough money.
See also: old, same, story
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

it’s the (same) old ˈstory

something unpleasant or bad which happens again and again: He says we haven’t got enough money for a trip overseas. It’s the same old story every year.
See also: old, story
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • Is that what they're calling it now?
  • Is that what they're calling it these days?
  • in the wrong place at the wrong time
  • none the worse (for something)
  • none the worse for
  • none the worse for something
  • is that right
  • is that so
  • Is that so?
  • I've seen worse
References in classic literature
You bring her home, and you discover that it's the old story of the sugar over again.
Man And Wife
'Say what you have to say; it's the old story, I suppose?'
The Posthumous Papers Of The Pickwick Club
'It's the old story. More in your brains than in your pocket, eh?
Memoirs of Sherloc Holmes
"It's the old story, if the pound weakens then exporters make a killing, but importers have to tighten their belts.
If in doubt blame Brexit, [...]
It's the old story, hide our incompetence and inactivity by blaming someone else.
Town let down by councillors; LETTERS
I guess it's the old story about the more information you get, the easier it is for you to mentally lock up.
Why are people making mistakes in retirement planning: when there are so many different financial planning vehicles out there today?
For insurers, it's the old story of risk meeting opportunity.
The shortest distance between markets
It's the old story of the fear of sanctions--even after the US Treasury says the shipment is allowed.
Airlines threaten to kill solar car flight to US
"It's the old story of trying to makplace have a unique character and have a flavour of something from a different city."
Business booming in arcades and alleys
It's the old story of one rule for them and another for the rest of us.
Pension off this plan; Letters
It's the old story, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer and if we are in a double dip recession how can David Cameron possibly justify this extravagance and regalia on Margaret Thatcher?
Maggie funeral is an insult to this city; 10 letters@coventrytelegraph.net Letters letters@coventrytelegraph.net 13, 2013
It's the old story of selling wildlife and depleting a stock.
Gamefish quiniela: cobia and trout
Burgess, who led his side to a famous win at Halesowen Town in the last round, said: "It's the old story of if you don't take your chances you are always vulnerable to the counter attack and that's what happened here.
DUDLEY RUE MISSED CHANCES DUDLEY
It's the old story that a picture is worth a thousand words," Mr.
A new home for old treasures; Historical Society Museum gets a facelift
But it's the old story, he doesn't belong to us, he is contracted to Birmingham."
Hodgson wants Foster for keeps