student asking question

What's the difference in meaning between "usual [someone]" and "classic [someone]"?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

Good question! "Classic [someone]" means that this person/group is doing something they're well known for, whether it be notoriously good or bad. "Usual [someone]" means that they're being themselves or acting like themselves. It's not something that's specifically good or bad or what they're well known for. It's just the norm or standard of them. Ex: Classic Stanley, always being so kind and encouraging to strangers. Ex: Oh, that's the usual Jim, always talking to himself while working. Pay it no attention.

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