a new broom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows all the corners

A form of a new broom sweeps clean — New management will often make radical changes.

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Meanings

proverb
  1. alternativeAlternative form of a new broom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows the corners.
Cite this entry
APA

a new broom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows all the corners. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/a%20new%20broom%20sweeps%20clean%2C%20but%20an%20old%20broom%20knows%20all%20the%20corners

MLA

“a new broom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows all the corners.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/a%20new%20broom%20sweeps%20clean%2C%20but%20an%20old%20broom%20knows%20all%20the%20corners. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “a new broom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows all the corners,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/a%20new%20broom%20sweeps%20clean%2C%20but%20an%20old%20broom%20knows%20all%20the%20corners.

Source: a new broom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows all the corners on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.