ENGLISH
REFERENCE

old school

idiom
Meaning

Preceded by the: a group of people characterized by being conservative or traditional; also, a method for accomplishing a task, a style, or a way of thinking that was employed in a former era, remembered either for its inferiority to the current method, or for its superiority over the new way.


Origin

disputed origin

The noun is derived from old + school (“followers of a particular doctrine; particular doctrine or way of thinking”), probably a shortening of old school of thinking, old school of thought, or some similar phrase. The adjective is derived from the attributive form of the noun.

Examples
SIMPLE

My grandfather is very old school about his manners.

CONTEXTUAL

He prefers using a paper map instead of a phone, which is a bit old school.

COMPLEX

While the rest of the industry embraced digital automation, the firm remained proudly old school, insisting that every contract be signed by hand.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    any old nook or cranny

    Alternative form of any nook or cranny.

  2. 02

    bad old days

    The past, seen as a time when things were worse.

  3. 03

    big old

    Emphatically or impressively big; really big.

  4. 04

    chip off the old block

    Someone who takes after one of their parents; (generally) a person similar to another.

  5. 05

    come the old soldier

    Often followed by with: to deceive, impose upon, or take advantage of someone, as if exploiting one's superior age or experience.

  6. 06

    every old nook and cranny

    Alternative form of every nook and cranny.

  7. 07

    give someone the old heave-ho

    Alternative form of give someone the heave-ho.

  8. 08

    green old age

    A person's elderly years that are active or full of vitality.

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