old school ties
Former classmate bonds
Old school ties are the social connections and loyalties formed among people who attended the same prestigious school, especially British public schools.
The phrase suggests an informal network where alumni favor each other in hiring, business, and social advancement: He got the job through old school ties rather than merit.
The literal old school tie—a necktie in school colors—serves as a recognition signal among graduates.
- alumniFormer school members
- old boys networkInformal male establishment connections
- privilegeExclusive right or benefit
- eliteSuperior select group
- upper classWealthiest societal stratum
old money · connections · networking · secret handshake · class · tradition · loyalty · establishment · private club · Oxford · Cambridge · ivy league · blazer · striped · uniform · fraternity · nostalgia · prestige
old school tiesmeritocracy
Advancement through demonstrated ability
open competition · blind hiring · equal opportunity · professional qualifications · level playing field
old school tiesequal opportunity
Unbiased chance for all
level playing field · social mobility · egalitarianism · classless society · open society
old school tiesprofessional networking
Cultivating work-related contacts
cold outreach · industry conferences · professional associations · online communities · startup culture
older, oldest, olden, elderly, school, schools, schooled, schooling, scholar