past master

American  

noun

1. a person who is thoroughly experienced or exceptionally skilled in a profession, art, etc..

   a past master at chess.

2. a person who has held the office of master in a guild, lodge, etc.

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past master British  

noun

1. a person with talent for, or experience in, a particular activity

   a past master of tact

2. a person who has held the office of master in a Freemasons' lodge, guild, etc

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past master Idioms  

1. A person who is thoroughly experienced or exceptionally skilled in some activity or craft. For example, We're lucky to get Ella, because she's a past master at fundraising. This expression probably alludes to the original literal meaning, that is, one who formerly held the post of master in a lodge or other organization. Although past mistress was used for an exceptionally skilled woman in the mid-1800s, it is heard less often today, master serving for both sexes. [Mid-1800s]

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Etymology

Origin of past master

First recorded in 1755–65

Example Sentences

Bhumjaithai, by comparison, is a past master at using its substantial resources to win local power-brokers to its side, and they exercise a lot of influence over voters in their areas.

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026

Trump's old pal Roy Cohn was a past master at this.

From Salon • Feb. 22, 2020

Now, Ronald Reagan was a no less sunny personality and a past master, of course, of media relations.

From Slate • Apr. 28, 2019

You can imagine the artfully brooding songs that such a boy might give voice to, especially from a past master of musical neuroses like Mr. Kander.

From New York Times • Feb. 22, 2017

I became a past master on the parallel bars and excelled at physical jerks;—we have trembled at the mere sound of his voice, but his runaway post-horse never got the better of us.

From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque