old sweat

See also: old-sweat

English

old sweat (plural old sweats)

(British, military slang, chiefly World War I) An experienced soldier.
(British, military slang) A veteran soldier or war veteran.
- 1960, P. G. Wodehouse, chapter I, in Jeeves in the Offing:
  A lifelong buddy of mine, this Herring, linked to me by what are called imperishable memories. Years ago, when striplings, he and I had done a stretch together at Malvern House, Bramley-on-Sea, the preparatory school conducted by that prince of stinkers, Aubrey Upjohn MA, and had frequently stood side by side in the Upjohn study awaiting the receipt of six of the juiciest from a cane of the type that biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder, as the fellow said. So we were, you might say, rather like a couple of old sweats who had fought shoulder to shoulder on Crispin's Day, if I've got the name right.
(British, slang, figuratively) Someone experienced in his or her field.

experienced soldier

veteran soldier

experienced in his field