old chap
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of old chap
First recorded in 1815–25
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"In Kilpeck there are a number of corbels missing, and there's a story that an old chap said he was ordered by the vicar's wife to chop some of the corbels off," Mr Harding says.
From BBC ● Feb. 18, 2019
Neighbors possibly felt the same way in Argentina when the kindly old chap who lived downstairs was arrested as a war criminal.
From New York Times ● Oct. 11, 2017
It’s not looking good for the old chap as he struggles to stay in a long rally, but a glorious forehand down the advantage side saves his service point.
From The Guardian ● Jan. 19, 2016
And so whatever epiphany may be in store for this annoying character is - sorry, old chap - rather too little, and too late.
From Washington Times ● Sep. 3, 2014
“Dear old Pip, old chap, you’re a’most come round, sir.”
From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
