a modern-day (person or thing)

A person or thing that is equivalent to someone or something from the past. The play, for all its surrealist elements, is at its core a modern-day Greek tragedy. The media personality claims to be a modern-day Paul Revere, warning people not of the British, but of the actions and agendas of political extremists in our own population. The film tells the story of a notorious gangster who becomes a kind of modern-day Robin Hood, targeting banks and billionaires in order to give their money to the poor.

a modern-day Paul Revere

Someone who embarks on a long and arduous journey or mission in order to deliver an especially important message. (Paul Revere was a Patriot in the American Revolution famous for his "midnight ride" to warn other patriots as to the movement of British troops.) The media personality claims to be a modern-day Paul Revere, warning people not of the British, but of the actions and agendas of political extremists within our own population. Look, you don't need to be a modern-day Paul Revere—let people evaluate the candidates on their own and make up their own minds. Larry thinks he's a modern-day Paul Revere, constantly warning all of us about climate change and global warming, but who wants to hear about that stuff non-stop? He just ends up being a downer.

a modern-day Robin Hood

A reference to the folkloric character of Robin Hood, who, according to legend, was a remarkable archer and was said to rob from the rich in order to give to the poor.

1. Someone who makes a point of redistributing wealth to those in lower financial positions, whether by legal or illegal means. The CEO of the non-profit tech company is styling herself as a modern-day Robin Hood, reinvesting the revenue earned through its hugely successful financial apps directly into local programs for disadvantaged communities around the country. The film tells the story of a notorious gangster who becomes a kind of modern-day Robin Hood, targeting banks and billionaires in order to give their money to the poor. Who wouldn't vote for a modern-day Robin Hood? Give money to the people who really need it, rather than turning millionaires into billionaires!

2. Someone who is particularly skilled in archery. Our archery camp is always trying to encourage kids to become the next modern-day Robin Hoods. The modern-day Robin Hood managed to hit the apple off the volunteer's head with an arrow, then split that arrow down the center with a second one. Did you just hit the bulls-eye? Wow, you're a modern-day Robin Hood all right!

as modern as next week

As current or modern as possible. What resources could her team possibly be lacking? Our new office is as modern as next week! Every college campus is constantly under construction so that they can stay as modern as next week. Too bad what is considered "modern" changes so rapidly. This printer is as modern as next week, and I have no idea how to work it!

be as modern as next week

To be as current or modern as possible. What resources could she possibly be lacking? Our new office is as modern as next week! Every college campus is constantly under construction so that they can show off that they're as modern as next week. Too bad what is considered "modern" changes so rapidly. This printer is as modern as next week, and I have no idea how to work it!

modern up

To make something more modern in appearance, style, function, or character. A noun or pronoun can be used between "modern" and "up." The director said the new film aims to modern up the long-running franchise. I'd love to hire an interior decorator to modern our house up a bit.