a leopard does not change its spots

a leopard doesn't change its spots

proverb One will stay true to one's nature, even if one pretends or claims otherwise. After our breakup, he came crawling back, trying to convince me that he'd changed, but I know that a leopard doesn't change its spots.
See also: change, leopard, spot
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a leopard does not change its spots

or

a leopard cannot change its spots

mainly BRITISH
If you say that a leopard does not change its spots or a leopard cannot change its spots, you mean that it is not possible for someone bad or unpleasant to change and become good and pleasant. A liar is a liar, and a leopard cannot change its spots. Note: This expression is often varied. This racist leopard has in no way changed his spots. I believe a leopard can change his spots, and this guy is really committed. Note: A form of this proverb is used in the Bible, by the prophet Jeremiah, to say that wicked people never change: `Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.' (Jeremiah 13:23)
See also: change, does, leopard, not, spot
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • as one door closes, another (one) opens
  • as one door closes, another one opens
  • as one door closes, another opens
  • drive (one) out of office
  • force (one) out of office
  • force out of office
  • give (someone) an inch and (someone) (will) take a mile
  • give (someone) an inch and (someone) (will) take a yard
  • give head
  • give (one) (one's) head
References in periodicals archive
IT would be wonderful if Bahrain could solve one of its problems, as mentioned in your article (GDN, January 22) "Opposition in key talks." However, I am reminded by one of my managers that when I was considering rehiring, for a third time, a former employee, my manager stated "a leopard does not change its spots." Somehow, I am of the same opinion about the "opposition."
Dialogue worry..
Natalie is not the only one who tried to make things work but who in the end had to admit that a leopard does not change its spots.
Brave example; RecordView