Change one’s spots (Jeremiah 13:23)

bible verse

“Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil.” (Jeremiah 13:23)

meaning

This idiom means that people cannot change basic aspects of their character, especially negative ones. “A leopard doesn’t change its spots” is also used.

origin and application

Jeremiah was an Old Testament prophet. He cried out to people in Jerusalem and warns against their sins. Their sinful nature was deep-rooted and could hardly be changed, just as a leopard could not change its spots.