old hand

American  

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.

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old hand British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of old hand

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

Anna ran her old hands over the shawl in her lap.

From Literature

He came over, knelt down, and fingered the cut with his gentle old hands.

From Literature

Etta, now pregnant, had an endless supply of things for me to fix, though sometimes I suspected she was ripping seams and popping buttons on purpose just to give my old hands something to do.

From Literature

Rashford, also bidding to earn a World Cup slot with England while on loan from Manchester United, will be experiencing an El Clasico for the first time, but Bellingham is an old hand.

From BBC

Could the cardinals elect an African or an Asian Pope, or might they favour one of the old hands of the Vatican administration?

From BBC

Related Words

• old-timer