an old hand
Meaning: Someone with long experience at something.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “Ask Maria about the printer; she's an old hand at fixing it.”
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: "Hand" has meant a worker or crew member since the 17th century; an old hand is a veteran worker. The phrase is found from the 18th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- French: Blanchir sous le harnais — literally: To grow white under the harness
- French: Un vieux de la vieille — literally: An old one of the old
More idioms — Body & Senses
- a low blow — An unfair or cruel attack.
- it's all fun and games until someone loses an eye — Rough play may seem harmless but can end in injury.
- a dab hand — Someone very skilled at something.
- cry one's eyes out — To cry very hard and for a long time.
- hale and hearty — Healthy and strong, especially in old age.
- break a leg — Good luck, said to a performer before going on stage.
More English idioms
- one thing led to another — A series of events happened, each causing the next, often with a hint that something emba…
- Ariadne's thread — Something that guides one through a complicated problem.
- the end justifies the means — A good result excuses any way of achieving it.
- sweet-talk — To persuade someone with flattery.
- get on the wrong side of — To make someone angry or hostile toward you.
- you can't be in two places at once — One person cannot do two things in different places at the same time.