Old guard

noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A (comparatively) conservative, reactionary faction that is more unwilling to accept new ideas than their peers are.
  2. 2
    a faction that is unwilling to accept new ideas wordnet
  3. 3
    Collectively, the members of a team who have been a long time in a place.

    "The Blues, without new big-money signings Fernando Torres and David Luiz, relied on their old guard to dig them out of an early hole."

Etymology

Calque of French vieille garde.

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