From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishtroupertroup‧er /ˈtruːpə $ -ər/ noun [countable] informal 1 EXPERIENCEDsomeone who has a lot of experience of work in the entertainment business2 someone who works hard and keeps trying, even when the situation is difficult
Examples from the Corpus
trouper• She went through all the rituals like a trouper.• They were all old troupers and knew the importance of entering on a high note.• What good old troupers they are!• And so out go the old troupers and in come the fresh-faced kids.• But Maisie proved to be a real trouper - just like her mum.• Eric was a real trouper, helping his mother when he could.• But we troupers just go on and on.• She is the same wholehearted trouper she has been through war and peace for three generations. 