past master

past master

One who is exceptionally skilled or experienced in a particular activity, craft, or field. Typically followed by "in/of/at (something)." Not to toot my own horn, but I consider myself a bit of a past master in cooking. I don't blame you for feeling that way—Jen is a real past master at eroding your self-confidence. He's always been a past master of getting by with doing as little work as possible.
See also: master, past
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*past master (at something)

Fig. someone proven extremely good or skillful at an activity. (*Typically: be ~; become ~.) Mary is a past master at cooking omelets. Pam is a past master at the art of complaining.
See also: master, past
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

past master

A person who is thoroughly experienced or exceptionally skilled in some activity or craft. For example, We're lucky to get Ella, because she's a past master at fundraising. This expression probably alludes to the original literal meaning, that is, one who formerly held the post of master in a lodge or other organization. Although past mistress was used for an exceptionally skilled woman in the mid-1800s, it is heard less often today, master serving for both sexes. [Mid-1800s]
See also: master, past
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

a ˌpast ˈmaster (in/of/at something)

a person who is very good at doing something: He’s a past master at making other people feel guilty.
See also: master, past
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a past master
  • blow one's own horn/trumpet, to
  • toot (one's) own horn
  • toot one’s own horn
  • tech-nerd
  • a whale of a
  • toot (one's) own trumpet
  • feel sorry for (oneself)
  • be sorry for (oneself)
  • be/feel sorry for yourself
References in periodicals archive
The leader of Wikileaks is a past master of creating his own reality.
End this circus act
Williams is a past master with similar young guns and can be relied upon to get this one ship-shape for this assignment.
Lace looking fine for Fakenham
He is a past master of the Cottage Grove Masonic Lodge and a master of the Dorena Grange.
ANNIVERSARIES
Part-X,a Jack Russell terrier, is already a past master on a surfboard and is now learning to water ski.
Walkies? Not for one dog ...he's going surfing; Mum's tribute to ripper victim
Fatal Attraction director Adrian Lyne is a past master at weaving sex and suspense together and he does not fail here as the plot turns from body heat into edge-of-the-seat Hitchcock.
Reviews: Movies: Gere turns up the heat
More revealing of the roots of contemporary Brazilian art was the other presentation of a past master at the Drawing Center: the remarkable selection of works on paper ("Objetos graficos" [Graphic objects]) by Mira Schendel, who worked with both subjective gesture and readymade form - drawn line and typography - in dazzling ways.
'Art from Brazil in New York.'
Can't go for this UNINSPIRED: Daryl Hall DARYL HALL Laughing Down Crying The man behind such 70s and 80s classics as She's Gone and I Can't Go For That with partner John Oates is a past master of AOR dance rock.
ALBUM
Victory saw Past Master, who is out of multiple-winning Western Winter mare Early Thaw, become the 13th Grade 1 winner by Jet Master, best known on the international stage as J J The Jet Plane's sire.
Jet power continues
He is a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason, a past master of the McKenzie River Masonic Lodge, and is chairman and secretary for the Eugene Scottish Rite Bodies.
ANNIVERSARIES
PICTURE: Master of the Lodge Graham Daniel (left) and past master John Bramley present the cheque to Wharfeside Youth Trust chairman Anthony Dearden (right) Picture by Malcolm Howarth.
Masonic handout; HUDDERSFIELD DISTRICT Youth activity centre given cash boost
I THOUGHT I was a past master at throwing a strop whenever Wales was attacked.
David BANKS Column: Huw and I speak the same lingo
Nicholls is a past master at getting horses race fit after a long absence and Soldat, who loves the mud, will have ideal conditions.
Racing: Soldat to storm in
DONATION: Lodge master Andrew Robinson and past master John Bramley present the cheque to Wharfeside Youth Trust chairman Anthony Dearden (zy080908Bcheque)
Help for outdoor pursuit centre; Picture special
MOONAGE DAYDREAM: The secret of rock longevity lies in re-invention -and the past master of that is David Bowie.
Lowe-down on a legend; Books MOONAGE DAYDREAM: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ZIGGY STARDUST by David Bowie (Cassell pounds 25)
PAST MASTER: `I'm impressed by the set-up in North Wales,' said former South African Test star Eddie Barlow
Veteran passes on his skills