been to the wars

Idioms  

1. Show signs of rough treatment or injury, as in That car of yours looks as though it's been to the wars. This term dates from the late 1300s, when, however, it tended to be used literally. The figurative usage is more recent.

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Example Sentences

But rich boys who’ve been to the wars, you know?

From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz

Several of Jeremy's ancestors had been to the wars, among them his great-great-grandfather Silas Jeremy, who had fought under Wolfe at the capture of Quebec, and probably under Monckton in some earlier campaign.

From All Men are Ghosts by Jacks, L. P. (Lawrence Pearsall)

Besides, sergeant Jasper, I've been to the wars since I've seen ye—got experience, laurels and lilies, and all them there things.

From She Would Be a Soldier The Plains of Chippewa by Moses, Montrose Jonas

"This chap has been to the wars, eh, Miss Gower?" he heard the man say.

From Poor Man's Rock by Johnson, Frank Tenney

You see he had been to the wars and was a brave man.

From Childhood's Favorites and Fairy Stories The Young Folks Treasury, Volume 1 by Hale, Edward Everett