IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchUn vieux de la vieille
Meaning: A veteran of long standing.
Literally: An old one of the old
Example: “Pour réparer ce vieux moteur, il faut un vieux de la vieille.” — To repair that old engine, you need an old hand.
English equivalent: An old hand
Other ways to say this
- French: Blanchir sous le harnais Literally: To grow white under the harness
English: an old hand
Origin: La vieille is the Vieille Garde, Napoleon's Old Guard, whose members were the most experienced soldiers in the army. The ellipsis is original and has never been filled back in.
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