There's no fool like an old fool

(there's) no fool like an old fool

An older person who makes foolish decisions is especially at fault, as experience should have taught them not to do such things. My grandfather got caught trying to buy weed from some kids in the neighborhood. No fool like an old fool, eh? There's no fool like an old food—what did you think would happen if you tried to hide your profits to avoid the taxes?
See also: fool, like, no, old
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

There's no fool like an old fool.

Prov. Cliché Old people are supposed to be wise, so if an old person behaves foolishly, it is worse than a young person behaving foolishly. As old Mrs. Fleischman watched her husband try to dance the way their grandchildren danced, she muttered, "There's no fool like an old fool."
See also: fool, like, no, old
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

there's no fool like an old fool

the foolish behaviour of an older person seems especially foolish as they are expected to think and act more sensibly than a younger one. proverb
See also: fool, like, no, old
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

(there’s) ˌno fool like an ˈold fool

(saying) an older person who behaves foolishly appears more foolish than a younger person who does the same thing, because experience should have taught him not to do it: Fred is going to marry a woman thirty years younger than him. There’s no fool like an old fool.
See also: fool, like, no, old
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

there's no fool like an old fool

Foolishness does not abate with age. This observation was already a proverb when John Heywood amassed his 1546 proverb collection. It has been repeated ever since.
See also: fool, like, no, old
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • (there's) no fool like an old fool
  • a fool and his money are soon parted
  • fool and his money are soon parted
  • fool and his money are soon parted, a
  • parted
  • doofus
  • be heading for a fall
  • musclehead
  • experience is the teacher of fools
  • dearly
References in periodicals archive
As the saying goes, "There's no fool like an old fool."
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The maxim "There's no fool like an old fool" could not be more accurate.
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There's no fool like an old fool. It might not be as perfect but there's a lot to be said for an older, soggy bottom.
A MIDDLE aged man's [...]
THERE'S no fool like an old fool - and there's no fool like an ageing TV air-head.
He should get a grip
many wielding and took a THERE'S no fool like an old fool, and in that spirit, I have started playing football again.
bad idea forces reassure still [...]; 'THE WAY Russell Youll I SEE IT...'
As he says himself: "There's no fool like an old fool."
Fool-ing in love.
I was stupid and there's no fool like an old fool."
SEXTING MP: NO FOOL LIKE AN OLD FOOL; Suspended Danczuk sorry for messages to teen girl
THERE'S no fool like an old fool - and Sir Bernard Ingham, former chief Press secretary to Margaret Thatcher, has certainly shown himself to be one.
Some people never learn; ECHO
As the old saying goes: "There's no fool like an old fool".
Letter: Your say - Ronnie runs and runs
This isn't merely another instance of growing old disgracefully or there's no fool like an old fool. The police will investigate his Lordship's alleged consumption of a banned drug.
The louse of Lords; VOICE OF THE
THERE'S no fool like an old fool. That's not fair, you can be foolish at any age but through foolishness comes wisdom and not for the first time this week your mistakes are the very thing that brings you success.
Stars
I'm not sure which adage is more appropriate: what goes around comes around or there's no fool like an old fool.
I'D like to feel [...]
IF Leslie Ash opts for a facelift at 50 she will clearly belong to the "there's no fool like an old fool" brigade.
Letter: Your say - Don't be a fool, Leslie
Lord Triesman is proof that there's no fool like an old fool.
A bid of a cock-up
A YOU know what they say - there's no fool like an old fool, but in your case there's nothing quite as silly as a middle-aged woman hankering after a hunk young enough to be her son.
Just Joan: I've become obsessed with son's pal