dyed in the wool
Completely set beliefs
Dyed in the wool describes someone whose beliefs or characteristics are deeply ingrained and unlikely to change.
The phrase comes from dyeing wool before it's spun, which produces more permanent color than dyeing finished fabric.
A dyed-in-the-wool conservative holds convictions that go to the core.
The expression usually modifies political or ideological positions but can describe any thoroughgoing trait: a dyed-in-the-wool Yankees fan.
Firmly established, resistant to change
- deep-seatedFirmly established within
- rootedFirmly established in place
- indelibleImpossible to remove
- inherentExisting as essential part
innate · embedded · hardwired · instinctive · second-nature · imprinted · intrinsic · fundamental
Firmly refusing to yield
- intransigentRefusing to compromise
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- immovableIncapable of being shifted
- inflexibleUnable to bend
obdurate · unbending · uncompromising · adamant · tenacious · dogged · pigheaded · bullheaded
Loyally and lovingly attached
- dedicatedWholly committed to something
- steadfastFirmly loyal, unshakeable
- unwaveringSteady and unchanging
- resoluteFixed in purpose
wholehearted · fervent · ardent · zealous · unswerving · unflinching · unyielding · true
Cautious about altering customs
- old-schoolAdhering to past methods
- orthodoxConforming to established belief
- conventionalFollowing accepted practices
- time-honoredRespected due to age
heritage · ancestral · established · classic · old-fashioned · traditionalist · unreconstructed · vintage
entrenched
Firmly established, resistant to change
- deep-seatedFirmly established within
- rootedFirmly established in place
- indelibleImpossible to remove
inherent · innate · embedded · hardwired · instinctive · second-nature · imprinted · intrinsic · fundamental · bred-in-the-bone
obstinate
Firmly refusing to yield
- intransigentRefusing to compromise
- unyieldingRefusing to give way
- immovableIncapable of being shifted
inflexible · obdurate · unbending · uncompromising · adamant · tenacious · dogged · pigheaded · bullheaded · headstrong
devoted
Loyally and lovingly attached
- dedicatedWholly committed to something
- steadfastFirmly loyal, unshakeable
- unwaveringSteady and unchanging
resolute · wholehearted · fervent · ardent · zealous · unswerving · unflinching · unyielding · true · faithful
conservative
Cautious about altering customs
- old-schoolAdhering to past methods
- orthodoxConforming to established belief
- conventionalFollowing accepted practices
time-honored · heritage · ancestral · established · classic · old-fashioned · traditionalist · unreconstructed · vintage · hidebound
diehard
Stubbornly committed supporter
ideologue · purist · extremist · loyalist · devotee · stalwart · ultra · dogmatist · sectarian · enthusiast
dyed in the woolopen-minded
Receptive to different ideas
flexible · wishy-washy · fence-sitter · uncommitted · vacillating
wool, dying, woolly, woolen, dyed, woolens, dyeing, woolies, undyed