Old Habits Die Hard
(it is very difficult to change an established pattern of behavior)
When I ran into Neil the other day he was coughing up a storm. Is he OK?
Who knows? He's as OK as he'll ever be.
I don't get you.
He's taken up smoking again. You know he had quit for about a year, but I guess old habit die hard. The doctor even warned him that he would have health problems if he continued to smoke.
What made him start again?
As I said, it's very difficult to change a set habit. He was doing quite well until he had some personal problems. He must have started smoking again to alleviate the strain of dealing with them.
That's too bad. His health is bound to suffer.
I don't get you. = I don't understand what you mean.
take up = start
be bound to = be sure to