war horse

1. A person or thing that has seen long service or has lived through many hardships and can be relied on: “That teacher is a real war horse; he has seen the dismissal of ten different principals.”

Idioms and Phrases

Also, old war horse . A dependable, frequently performed attraction, as in The opera company is doing nothing but old war horses this season, like , Aïda and La Bohème. This term originated in the mid-1600s for a military charger that had been through many battles. In the 1800s it began to be used for human veterans, and in the mid-1900s for popular productions, especially of musical works.

Example Sentences

"We might as well not have come at all if we don't reach Anvard in time. Gallop, Bree, gallop. Remember you're a war-horse."

From Literature

"At least he ran in the right direction: ran back. And that is what shames me most of all. I, who called myself a war-horse and boasted of a hundred fights, to be beaten by a little human boy—a child, a mere foal, who had never held a sword nor had any good nurture or example in his life!"

From Literature

"As if anyone could mistake Bree for anything but a war-horse however you disguised him!"

From Literature

Hwin the mare was rather shy before a great war-horse like Bree and said very little.

From Literature

"If it comes to that," said Aravis, "what about you drooping your head a bit more and arching your neck a bit less and trying to look less like a war-horse?"

From Literature

Related Words

• old-timer