old stager

plural old stagers

1. idiomaticA veteran; an experienced person.

   “There'll be no holding you,” continued the old stager, grimly.

   1889, Rudyard Kipling, “The Education of Otis Yeere”, in Under the Deodars, Boston: The Greenock Press, published 1899, page 32

   1 more example

   Thank goodness for 'old stagers' such as BBC veteran journalist Paul Clifton, who saw the truth behind the spin.

   2023 August 9, Nigel Harris, “Comment: Disinterested and dishonest”, in RAIL, number 989, page 3

   Synonyms: old timer, old hand