warhorse

old warhorse

1. A veteran of some activity or profession (not necessarily the military) who has a wealth of experience going through various trials and tribulations. I know she's a little eccentric, but Janet is an old warhorse in this firm—she's been through more trying court cases than anyone else here. The president's pick for Secretary of State is an old war horse of international trade.
2. A performance or dramatic work, especially a musical, that is widely known and reliably popular due to how long or frequently it has been performed. Announcement that the old war horse was being revived for a run on Broadway sent a collective cheer across the nation. The theater has a few old warhorses that it brings out once or twice a year that it knows will always fill seats.
See also: old, warhorse
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*old warhorse

a performance piece that is performed often. (*Typically: be ~; become ~; perform ~; play ~.) The symphony orchestra played a few old warhorses and then some ghastly contemporary stuff that will never again see the light of day.
See also: old, warhorse
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

warhorse

n. a tough old thing, person, or idea. What time does the old warhorse’s train get in, and how long is she staying this time?
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

warhorse, a (an old)

An experienced veteran; also, a reliably popular attraction. This term originated in the mid-seventeenth century, when it literally meant a battle-scarred military charger. By the nineteenth century it had been transferred to experienced officers, such as the Confederate General James Longstreet, who was nicknamed the War Horse, as well as to veterans of political and other struggles. Using the second meaning, in 1990 a New York Times music critic wrote, “The first half of the orchestral program consisted of warhorses.”
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • old warhorse
  • perform
  • trials and tribulations
  • patient
  • patient as Job
  • (as) patient as Job
  • odd bird
  • away with the fairies
  • with the fairies
  • queer duck
References in periodicals archive
The council is currently looking for an artist to create a full-size horse in memory of Songster - a warhorse from Loughborough who served between 1914 and 1918 and remarkably made it back to the town safely.
Poignant events to mark WWI centenary; Series of events across Charnwood
Making the most of the CryEngine, Warhorse has realised a world which feels absolutely tangible.
Medieval marvel; GAME ON With Cheryl Mullin
Developed by Warhorse Studios, painstaking attention to detail means it has been four years in the making, starting in 2014 as a kickstarter project.
Medieval marvel
Also coming out today is "Kingdom Come: Deliverance," a medieval role-playing game from independent developer Warhorse Studios that is available on Xbox One, PS4, and PC.
For The Win: Google working on gaming service, Treyarch making next 'COD'
While the press agree to keep Churchill's crisis a secret, young nurse Millie Appleyard (Romola Garai) is crucial in bringing the old warhorse back to life.
WAR & PEACE
AFTER two sell-out UK tours in 2011 and 2013, The Pitmen Poets' planned world tour was put on hold when Bob Fox was offered a starring role as The Songman in the West End production of Warhorse.
Celebrating the coal mining tradition; PREVIEW: The Pitmen Poets at venues throughout Wales
NEWNCIS: New Orleans Five, 9pm The reliable warhorse about naval criminal investigation is trotted out again, but this time it's for a film-length special in a nice new location - the atmospheric scenery of Louisiana.
CHOICE
| Prom stars: Janine Jansen, Sakari Oramo, Paloma Faith, Katie Derham and WarHorse | Prom stars: Janine Jansen, Sakari Oramo, Paloma Faith, Katie Derham and WarHorse
best music
WESTERN WARHORSE sprang a 33-1 surprise in the Grade 1 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Festival.
THE ARKLE GOES WEST; No Pipedream ASWARHORSE triumphs
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED Pipe's Warhorse lowered several tall reputations in the Arkle
the Arkle GOES WEST; In association with No Pipedream as Warhorse triumphs
But Dylan, who has worked with Diablo on films such as Warhorse and Robin Hood, believed he could give the horse a good quality of life.
Blind horse aims to resume stunt career; WELSH COB SET FOR TOUGHEST CHALLENGE YET
TELECOMWORLDWIRE-February 9, 2012-Crytek and Warhorse Studios close licensing deal for all-in-one game development solution CryENGINE3(C)1994-2012 M2 COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m2.com
Crytek and Warhorse Studios close licensing deal for all-in-one game development solution CryENGINE3
The Duchess of Cambridge sheltered from the rain at the Warhorse premiere beneath a clear plastic dome-shaped umbrella, gallantly carried by husband Will.
We're seeing in the rain..
When people hear the word 'warhorse' they think of cavalry and magnificent mounted charges.
Horse power drove Britain's war effort; With Steven Spielberg's film War Horse drawing in the crowds, STEPHEN BADSEY (right), Professor of Conflict Studies at the University of Wolverhampton, author of the book Doctrine and Reform in the British Cavalry 1880-1918 and the country's foremost historian of the British cavalry in the First World War, gives an expert view on the subject