grand old men
Venerable senior figures
Grand old men is the plural of grand old man—a senior, distinguished figure who has long been prominent in a field or institution.
The phrase implies both age and accumulated respect: the grand old men of jazz, Washington's grand old men of foreign policy.
It can carry gentle irony, suggesting figures who may be venerable but also out of touch.
- luminaryInspiring figure or celestial body
- wise old manExperienced, knowing elder
- wise elderKnowledgeable older advisor
- doyenGroup's foremost elder
- veteranExperienced former soldier
old hand · patriarch · elder statesman · elder · village elder · sage · founder · founding father · notable · gray eminence · eminence · pioneer · historical figure · trailblazer · leaders · icon · honoree · philosopher