Idioms are special phrases where the words together mean something different from what they say one by one. People use them to make conversation more colorful, expressive, and fun. In this article, you will learn fifty different idioms related to repeating something in various ways.
In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms that mean saying or doing things all over again. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.
Idioms for Repeating Something
1. Broken record
Definition: A person who keeps saying the exact same thing over and over again.
Used in a Sentence: My big brother is a broken record about cleaning my room. / Dad sounds like a broken record when he tells us to wash our hands.
Similar Expressions: Sounding like a tape loop / Nagging parrot
2. Deja vu
Definition: The strange feeling that you have already lived through the exact same moment before.
Used in a Sentence: Walking into the empty classroom gave me a strong sense of deja vu. / It felt like total deja vu when she dropped her keys again.
Similar Expressions: Ghost of the past / Familiar echo
3. Groundhog Day
Definition: A situation where every single day feels identical to the one before it.
Used in a Sentence: Summer vacation felt like Groundhog Day because it rained every afternoon. / Doing the same math worksheets felt like a boring episode of Groundhog Day.
Similar Expressions: Endless loop / Same old story
4. Hammer it home
Definition: To repeat a point many times so that everyone understands it clearly.
Used in a Sentence: The coach had to hammer it home that we needed to stretch before running. / Mom tried to hammer it home that bedtime is at eight o’clock.
Similar Expressions: Drive it in / Beat a dead horse
5. Beat a dead horse
Definition: To keep talking about a topic that has already been completely finished or decided.
Used in a Sentence: There is no use in beating a dead horse about who lost the game. / Stop beating a dead horse and let us move on to a new project.
Similar Expressions: Labor the point / Rehash old news
6. Parrot fashion
Definition: Learning or repeating words strictly by memory without truly understanding them.
Used in a Sentence: He learned the poem parrot fashion just to pass the quick test. / Repeating facts parrot fashion does not help you solve real problems.
Similar Expressions: Rote repetition / Copycat style
7. Reinvent the wheel
Definition: To waste time creating something that has already been successfully made or done.
Used in a Sentence: Do not try to reinvent the wheel when making your science poster. / Just use the standard recipe instead of trying to reinvent the wheel.
Similar Expressions: Starting from scratch / Copying the master
8. Play a broken record
Definition: To continuously repeat a single complaint or request until people get tired of it.
Used in a Sentence: She started to play a broken record about wanting a new puppy. / I hate to play a broken record, but please put your shoes away.
Similar Expressions: Harping on it / Constant nagging
9. Return to square one
Definition: To go back to the very beginning of a task because a previous attempt failed.
Used in a Sentence: Our science experiment failed, so we had to return to square one. / Missing the final puzzle piece forced us to return to square one.
Similar Expressions: Back to the drawing board / Starting over
10. Round the bend
Definition: Going around the same circular path or idea over and over again.
Used in a Sentence: Explaining fractions to my little brother drove me right round the bend. / We kept walking round the bend trying to find the same park entrance.
Similar Expressions: Going in circles / Chasing your tail
11. Sing a different tune
Definition: To completely change your opinion or statement after saying something else before.
Used in a Sentence: He said he hated broccoli, but now he sings a different tune after tasting it. / She will sing a different tune once she sees how fun the game is.
Similar Expressions: Change your story / Flip the script
12. Spin the same yarn
Definition: To tell the exact same long story or excuse repeatedly to different people.
Used in a Sentence: Grandpa loves to spin the same yarn about his childhood adventures. / He tried to spin the same yarn to the teacher about his missing homework.
Similar Expressions: Tell the same tale / Reopen the book
13. Take it from the top
Definition: To start a song, play, or activity all over again from the very beginning.
Used in a Sentence: The band played a false note, so the director told them to take it from the top. / Let us take it from the top of the dance routine so we get the steps right.
Similar Expressions: Start afresh / Replay from zero
14. Turn back the clock
Definition: To wish for or try to recreate a past time or event.
Used in a Sentence: Sometimes I wish I could turn back the clock to relive last summer. / You cannot turn back the clock, so focus on doing better today.
Similar Expressions: Rewind time / Relive history
15. Wash, rinse, repeat
Definition: A routine that follows the exact same predictable steps over and over again.
Used in a Sentence: My weekday schedule is just wake up, go to school, do homework, wash, rinse, repeat. / Life during winter break felt like a cycle of wash, rinse, repeat.
Similar Expressions: Daily grind / Automatic loop
16. Echo chamber
Definition: A situation where people only repeat and hear ideas that match their own.
Used in a Sentence: Social media can sometimes turn into an echo chamber of similar opinions. / We need fresh ideas instead of staying inside an echo chamber.
Similar Expressions: Mirror room / Repeating hall
17. Copy paste
Definition: To duplicate words or actions precisely without making any changes.
Used in a Sentence: He tried to copy paste his friend’s paragraph for the history assignment. / Her drawing looked like a copy paste of the picture in the book.
Similar Expressions: Carbon copy / Exact replica
18. Carbon copy
Definition: A person or thing that is an identical duplicate of another.
Used in a Sentence: Everyone says Leo is a carbon copy of his older brother. / This miniature model is a carbon copy of the real spaceship.
Similar Expressions: Spitting image / Exact twin
19. Run it by again
Definition: To ask someone to repeat a piece of information so you can understand it.
Used in a Sentence: Could you run that math formula by me again, please? / I did not catch the instructions, so I asked her to run it by me again.
Similar Expressions: Say that once more / Repeat the details
20. Parrot back
Definition: To repeat words immediately after hearing them without adding new thoughts.
Used in a Sentence: The young child tried to parrot back every word the TV character said. / Do not just parrot back my instructions; make sure you understand them.
Similar Expressions: Echo back / Mimic speech
21. Rehash old bones
Definition: To talk about past arguments or details that have already been settled.
Used in a Sentence: There is no reason to rehash old bones from last month’s election. / The team spent too much time trying to rehash old bones during the meeting.
Similar Expressions: Dig up the past / Stir up old dust
22. Cycle through
Definition: To repeat a series of steps or items in a fixed order.
Used in a Sentence: The washing machine will cycle through three different settings. / We need to cycle through all the flashcards before the spelling test.
Similar Expressions: Rotate around / Loop through
23. Do a double take
Definition: To look at something, realize what it is, and then look at it again in surprise.
Used in a Sentence: I had to do a double take when I saw my teacher at the amusement park. / The weird costume made everyone in the hallway do a double take.
Similar Expressions: Look twice / Second glance
24. Parrot style
Definition: Performing an action or speech by copying someone else directly.
Used in a Sentence: The dancing class followed the instructor parrot style to learn the routine. / He learned how to draw the cartoon characters parrot style.
Similar Expressions: Monkey see monkey do / Imitation game
25. Play the same tune
Definition: To keep expressing the exact same viewpoint or complaint continually.
Used in a Sentence: The committee members continue to play the same tune about budget cuts. / Why do you always play the same tune whenever we plan a trip?
Similar Expressions: Keep chanting / Sing the same song
26. Rerun of the past
Definition: An event that feels like an exact repetition of something that happened before.
Used in a Sentence: Watching our team lose the championship game felt like a sad rerun of the past. / This argument feels like a boring rerun of the past.
Similar Expressions: Deja vu moment / Historical repeat
27. Same old song and dance
Definition: A familiar and tedious routine or excuse that you have heard many times before.
Used in a Sentence: When my brother forgot his jacket, it was the same old song and dance. / I do not want to hear the same old song and dance about why chores are not done.
Similar Expressions: Routine excuse / Familiar drill
28. Parrot the lines
Definition: To repeat dialogue mechanically without putting emotion or thought into it.
Used in a Sentence: The actor struggled because he would just parrot the lines on stage. / It is easy to parrot the lines, but you need to act like you mean them.
Similar Expressions: Recite mechanically / Robot speech
29. Retell the tale
Definition: To narrate a story or event all over again to a new audience.
Used in a Sentence: Grandpa loves to retell the tale of how he caught a giant fish. / She had to retell the tale of the lost backpack to the principal.
Similar Expressions: Recount the story / Share again
30. Spin the wheel again
Definition: To try a course of action once more after a previous failure.
Used in a Sentence: We did not win the prize, so we decided to spin the wheel again. / Sometimes you just have to spin the wheel again and hope for better luck.
Similar Expressions: Give it another shot / Try once more
31. Replay the tape
Definition: To mentally think about a past event or conversation over and over.
Used in a Sentence: I kept trying to replay the tape in my head to see where I made a mistake. / Do not sit there and replay the tape of that missed shot all night.
Similar Expressions: Overthink the moment / Rewind the mind
32. Mirror image
Definition: Something that looks identical or functions in the exact same way as another.
Used in a Sentence: Their backyard garden was a mirror image of ours. / The two twins acted as a mirror image of each other during the play.
Similar Expressions: Exact match / Twin reflection
33. Repeat performance
Definition: Doing a successful or unsuccessful action a second time.
Used in a Sentence: We hope to have a repeat performance of last week’s soccer victory. / Hopefully, we do not have a repeat performance of yesterday’s heavy rain.
Similar Expressions: Second act / Encore show
34. Go over old ground
Definition: To discuss details or topics that have already been talked about fully.
Used in a Sentence: The teacher did not want to go over old ground before the big exam. / Let us not go over old ground regarding who forgot the snacks.
Similar Expressions: Retrod territory / Revisit the past
35. Sing the same old song
Definition: To complain about or repeat the same topic endlessly.
Used in a Sentence: Whenever chores are mentioned, my siblings sing the same old song. / He loves to sing the same old song about how hard his homework is.
Similar Expressions: Constant complaint / Same old refrain
36. Back on the treadmill
Definition: Being stuck in a repetitive routine that never seems to change.
Used in a Sentence: After a short vacation, we were right back on the treadmill of schoolwork. / Working late every night feels like being trapped on a treadmill.
Similar Expressions: Endless wheel / Rat race routine
37. Copycat routine
Definition: An action where someone mimics what another person just did.
Used in a Sentence: My little sister copied my outfit in a funny copycat routine. / The new video game felt like a copycat routine of last year’s hit.
Similar Expressions: Mimic act / Imitation routine
38. Endless loop
Definition: A process or thought that keeps repeating without stopping.
Used in a Sentence: The catchy song stuck in my head played in an endless loop all day. / The broken computer program got stuck in an endless loop.
Similar Expressions: Infinite cycle / Constant circle
39. Round and round
Definition: Moving in a circle or repeating the same thoughts continuously.
Used in a Sentence: My thoughts kept going round and round while I tried to fall asleep. / The merry-go-round spun round and round at the park.
Similar Expressions: Spinning circles / Turning wheels
40. Echo the sentiment
Definition: To repeat or share the exact same feeling or opinion as someone else.
Used in a Sentence: I want to echo the sentiment that our team played a fantastic game. / Several parents stood up to echo the sentiment about improving the playground.
Similar Expressions: Share the view / Agree completely
41. Revisit the scene
Definition: To go back to a place or topic to look at it again.
Used in a Sentence: Detectives always revisit the scene of the mystery to find hidden clues. / Let us revisit the scene of our science project to see if anything changed.
Similar Expressions: Return to the spot / Look back
42. Punch the replay button
Definition: To wish to experience a wonderful moment all over again.
Used in a Sentence: That concert was so amazing I wanted to punch the replay button immediately. / We all wished we could punch the replay button on our fun vacation.
Similar Expressions: Hit rewind / Experience again
43. Recite by heart
Definition: To repeat words or text from memory without looking at a page.
Used in a Sentence: Every student had to recite the poem by heart in front of the class. / She can recite the entire script of her favorite movie by heart.
Similar Expressions: Memorize and speak / Know backward
44. Do it by the book
Definition: To follow standard rules and repeated procedures precisely.
Used in a Sentence: The principal wants us to do every safety drill strictly by the book. / If we do this experiment by the book, it will work perfectly.
Similar Expressions: Follow protocol / Standard procedure
45. Spin a familiar yarn
Definition: To tell a well-known story that you have heard many times before.
Used in a Sentence: Uncle Bob always likes to spin a familiar yarn at family dinners. / We knew he was about to spin a familiar yarn when he started smiling.
Similar Expressions: Tell an old story / Repeat a narrative
46. Second helpings
Definition: Taking another portion of food because you want to repeat the meal.
Used in a Sentence: The lasagna was so delicious that everyone asked for second helpings. / Mom made extra pancakes because the kids always want second helpings.
Similar Expressions: Another serving / Round two
47. Again and again
Definition: Doing or saying the same thing many times in succession.
Used in a Sentence: Practice your multiplication facts again and again until you master them. / The basketball bounced against the gym wall again and again.
Similar Expressions: Repeatedly / Over and over
48. Replay the game
Definition: To think about or act out a sports match or event a second time.
Used in a Sentence: The players stayed after practice to replay the game in their minds. / The sports channel will replay the game tonight at eight o’clock.
Similar Expressions: Watch highlights / Review the match
49. Same difference
Definition: A phrase used when two different actions or repetitions lead to the exact same result.
Used in a Sentence: Whether we walk or take the bus, it is the same difference. / You can call it soda or pop, it is the same difference.
Similar Expressions: Either way / Same outcome
50. Turn the page
Definition: To move past a repeated situation and start something fresh.
Used in a Sentence: After the tough test, we were ready to turn the page and learn a new topic. / It is time to turn the page on last year’s mistakes and look forward.
Similar Expressions: Move forward / Fresh start
Exercise to Practice
- When my little brother kept asking for candy, he started sounding like a broken record.
- Walking into the dark cave gave me a strong sense of deja vu because I had been there every day for a year.
- Trying to redesign a standard spoon from scratch is a great way to reinvent the wheel.
- When our team lost the championship game, we had to return to square one and play the final match again.
- If you learn a foreign language parrot fashion, you will instantly know how to speak fluently with native speakers.
- The teacher had to hammer it home that homework must be turned in on Friday morning.
- My friend sang a different tune about liking sushi after she tasted a spicy tuna roll.
- Doing your chores every single day feels like being trapped in an endless loop of Groundhog Day.
- Grandpa told a brand new story that nobody had ever heard before, which is called spinning the same yarn.
- The band made a mistake on the first note, so the instructor told them to take it from the top.
- Whenever my sister asks for a new toy, it is the exact same old song and dance.
- The detective wanted to revisit the scene of the crime to make sure no new clues were left behind.
- Memorizing a poem so well that you can say every word without looking is called reciting by heart.
- Watching our favorite cartoon for the tenth time this week feels like a carbon copy of yesterday.
- When two different routes take the exact same amount of time to reach school, it is called the same difference.
Answer Key
- True
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- True
- True
- False
- True
Conclusion
Learning idioms about repeating something helps you understand everyday conversations much better. These fun expressions make your writing and speaking sound more natural and creative.
Try using a few of these phrases when talking with your friends or family this week. You will impress everyone with your growing English skills!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common idioms for repeating something?
Common examples include sounding like a broken record, going in circles, or returning to square one. People use these phrases to describe daily routines or things that happen over and over again.
Why do we use idioms in English conversation?
Idioms make our language more colorful, creative, and expressive than using plain words alone. They help us share complex feelings or funny situations quickly and clearly.
How can I practice learning new idioms?
You can practice by using new idioms in your daily writing, making flashcards, or trying to spot them in books and movies. Using them in simple sentences helps your brain remember their meanings.
Are idioms difficult to learn for beginners?
Some idioms can be tricky because their literal words do not match their actual meanings. However, learning them in small groups with clear examples makes them very easy to master.
Can I use idioms in formal school essays?
Most idioms are informal, so it is usually better to use them in creative writing, stories, or casual speech rather than strict science reports. Checking your teacher’s rules is always a great idea before using slang or idioms in homework.
