old warhorse
1
6.9
- noun
- Informal
:
veterano
- After years of leading the team, Maria has become the old warhorse that everyone relies on for guidance.
Examples
-
Despite his age, the professor remains an old warhorse of the academic community, always ready to share his wisdom.
-
Yeah, he and Zaki are a couple of old warhorses.
-
I'm just an old warhorse, and I can smell the gluepot from here.
Fiction book (1997) -
With General Longstreet in command, my old warhorse... ...meeting the enemy face to face on ground of his choosing... ...and with honor, we will prevail.
-
Lester is an old warhorse who's been around since Hoover, which is why they assigned him to this case.
Fiction book (1994) -
On the advice of an old warhorse screenwriter in Santa Barbara, I used that offer to acquire an American agent who then found me an American publisher.
Blog text (21) -
Tim has been in politics for decades, so he is considered an old warhorse in the party.
Synonyms
153
4.1
Having long experience and skill in a job or activity
39
5.2
A person who has done something for a long time and is respected for their experience
4
7.0
A person with many years of experience in a job or field
1
3.7
A person with a lot of experience in a job or activity
1
5.1
A person who has done a job or activity for many years and knows it well
1
7.2
An experienced person who uses skill and tricks to gain an advantage
A person or thing you can always trust to do what is needed
A person who has a lot of experience in a job or activity
Antonyms
How Experienced
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'an experienced and reliable person' is directly derivable from combining 'old' (experienced) with 'warhorse' (a seasoned veteran or long-serving person). The adjective simply intensifies the established figurative noun, so a B1 learner who knows both constituent meanings would understand the MWE.
Etymology
Old warhorse may come from the image of an old warhorse, a horse that had been in many battles and learned to stay calm and steady. That's why it now means 'an experienced and reliable person'.