old hand

noun

1. a person who is experienced in or familiar with a subject, area, procedure, etc.:

   The guide you just hired is an old hand at leading safaris.

old hand

noun

1. a person who is skilled at something through long experience
2. informal.
   (in the 19th century) an ex-convict
3. informal.
   a person who is long established in a place

Word History and Origins

Origin of old hand¹

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

Dixon, the old hand at 40, knows it’s very early in the race and seems content to relax, put his car on speed control and sit in third.

From Washington Post

She is an old hand at this nerve-racking experience, having gone through it with Perseverance’s predecessors Curiosity, Spirit, and Opportunity.

From MIT Technology Review

President Obama is an old hand at absorbing attacks from his left flank.

From The Daily Beast

On Sunday a wise old hand who had seen it all expresses a sense of exasperation about the impasse in the Middle East.

From The Daily Beast

Jane Lynch is an old hand at award show speeches, having nabbed an Emmy in August.

From The Daily Beast

Like a Washington old-hand, Brown knows that all the attention is good for the coffers.

From The Daily Beast

Another old hand, Henry Kaufman, once the most respected economists on Wall Street, is sounding a similar theme.

From The Daily Beast

"You must be a very old hand in the business," said the captive, with a laugh.

From Project Gutenberg

Jasper pulled his shaky old hand through her arm, and half-carried, half-dragged him down to the parlor.

From Project Gutenberg

Down came a shaking, hot old hand in a rough caress, and up a gallant young tail to wave like a banner.

From Project Gutenberg

I shouldn't ha' dared to have tried that on an old hand—begging your pardon; I mean a real—a scoundrel.

From Project Gutenberg

The reader must judge for himself whether this first paper is the work of an old hand or a novice.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• old-timer