through the mill adv. phr. 1. Experienced.
You could tell immediately that the new employee had been through the mill. 2. Through real experience of the difficulties of a certain way of life.
Poor Jerry has had three operations in one year, and now he's back in the hospital. He's realty gone through the mill. Compare: GO THROUGH HELL AND HIGH WATER, COME HELL OR HIGH WATER.
[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲