Phrase guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
verb
Often followed by with: to deceive, impose upon, or take advantage of someone, as if exploiting one's superior age or experience.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: idiomatic, informal, intransitive
Synonyms: act the old soldier, play the old soldier
Antonyms: none provided
History
From come (“to behave in the manner of; to pretend to be”) + the + old soldier (“former soldier, or one who has served for a long time; one with a lot of experience in something”), in the sense of one taking advantage of their age or experience over someone else.
