Force of habit

usgb
noun phrase

When you do something automatically, without thinking, because it's a routine you've done frequently before.

Even though I had moved house, for a couple of weeks I found myself still driving towards my old address every day after work. I guess it was just force of habit.
Visual representation of "force of habit" - When you do something automatically, without thinking, because it's a routine you've done frequently before

Often appears as...

  • break the force of habit
  • succumb to the force of habit

Usage tips

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "force of habit"
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Unconscious Action

The phrase often refers to actions done without conscious thought, as if on autopilot.

Illustration for Unconscious Action
She found herself checking the mailbox every day out of force of habit, even though it was Sunday.
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Change Resistance

'Force of habit' illustrates the difficulty people face when trying to change a long-standing routine.

Illustration for Change Resistance
He kept reaching for the light switch that was no longer there, a force of habit hard to break.
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Inadvertent Errors

The phrase may be used to explain mistakes made because someone defaulted to a habitual action.

Illustration for Inadvertent Errors
Typed my old password out of force of habit and got locked out of my account.
Visual representation of the word "Force of habit"

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