chocolate soldier —(derog.)
1. a soldier unwilling to fight:
- They are chocolate soldiers who merely go to see battles and coolly urge others to fight them.
2. a militiaman or conscripted soldier:
- Conscripts, known as “chocos” (chocolate soldiers) were not required to serve outside prescribed areas.
toy soldier —(also: tin soldier)
1. a miniature figure of a soldier made of metal, etc.:
- There are thousands of different hobbies: toy soldiers, model airplanes, cigarette cards.
2. (derog.) a soldier in a peacetime army; a ceremonial soldier only:
- Poor Hugo has gone clucking back for to be a toy soldier at Aldershot.