past master

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Bhumjaithai, by comparison, is a past master at using its substantial resources to win local power-brokers to its side, and they exercise a lot of influence over voters in their areas.

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026

Besieged on all sides, Mr. Lee is a past master at playing to public emotions.

From Washington Times • Sep. 22, 2023

He is a past master at laying off his debts as well as his moral responsibilities.

From Salon • Nov. 12, 2022

In Bologna, he finds a grizzled character — played by Nick Nolte, a past master in this department — who’s protecting a film archive and maintaining a bicycle-and-hand-crank-operated projector.

From New York Times • Dec. 16, 2021

I became a past master on the parallel bars and excelled at physical jerks;—we have trembled at the mere sound of his voice, but his runaway post-horse never got the better of us.

From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque