C’est un homme de la vieille roche = He is a man of the old school; he belongs to the good old stock.
Un vieux de la vieille = A veteran of the old Imperial Guard; One of the old brigade.
Vieil ami et vieux vin sont vraiment deux bons vieux, mais vieux écus sont encore mieux = Old friends and old wine are good, but old gold is better than both.
[“Alonzo of Arragon was wont to say in commendation of Age, that Age appeared to be best in four things: Old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read.”—Bacon, Apophthegms, 101.]
Vif
Trancher (or, couper) dans le vif = (lit.) To cut to the quick; (fig.) To set to work in earnest.
Ce reproche l’a piqué au vif = That reproach stung him to the quick.
Il est vif comme la poudre = 1. He is quick-tempered. 2. He is bustling, quick at work.
De vive voix = By word of mouth; Orally.