| a chip off/of the old block |
a son or daughter who is very much like his or her father in character or temperament |
"He is just as stubborn as his father." "Oh, yes, he’s certainly a chip off the old block." |
| an old flame |
someone of the opposite sex to whom one was strongly attracted at some time in the past |
Chris ran into Amanda in a restaurant yesterday. She’s an old flame of his from their student days at Oxford. |
| an old fogey |
an elderly, narrow-minded person who is out of touch with modern thinking |
You can call me an old fogey if you want, but I think that many young people are misguided. |
| an old hand at something |
someone with a lot of experience and practice at (doing something) |
"I need someone to help me fix these shelves." "Well, ask Tom. He’s an old hand at that sort of thing." |
| old hat |
out of date, no longer original, topical or fashionable |
"What did you think of the lecture?" "Well, quite honestly, most of it was old hat!" |
| the old man |
a term used for a father or a man in authority over a group of employees etc.; e.g. a firm’s director, a headmaster |
Oh, by the way, I just saw the old man. He wants to see you in his office immediately. |
| the old school |
traditional thinking/standards/code of behaviour as in former times, as opposed to modern thinking |
Our history professor is one of the old school. He expects us to be the same as students in his days. |
| any old how |
in a careless, bad manner |
Tom doesn’t care what his homework looks like. He does it any old how. |
| for old times' sake |
for sentimental reasons related to pleasant memories from the past |
I spent my childhood in Warsaw. I'd like to go back there one day - for old times' sake. |
