老马识途 lǎo mǎ shí tú
an old horse knows the way; experience is a reliable guide
Literally: old horse know way
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Origin
From the Hanfeizi (Shuo Lin I): Guan Zhong's army lost its way returning from a campaign, so he released old horses and followed them home.
How to use it
Predicate or subject; positive, said of experienced people. Often 老马识途,还是听他的.
Example sentences
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- 这条山路只有老向导熟悉，老马识途，我们跟着他走准没错。Zhè tiáo shānlù zhǐyǒu lǎo xiàngdǎo shúxī, lǎo mǎ shí tú, wǒmen gēnzhe tā zǒu zhǔn méi cuò.Only the old guide knows this mountain path; an old horse knows the way, so we can't go wrong following him.this (measure) mountain road only old guide familiar, old horse know way, we follow (continuous particle) him walk surely not wrong
- 公司遇到危机时，还是请退休的老总裁出山，毕竟老马识途。Gōngsī yùdào wēijī shí, háishì qǐng tuìxiū de lǎo zǒngcái chūshān, bìjìng lǎo mǎ shí tú.When the company hit a crisis, they brought the retired old president back; after all, experience shows the way.company meet crisis time, still invite retired (attributive particle) old president come-out-of-mountain, after all old horse know way
More chengyu about animals & fables
- 螳臂当车táng bì dāng chēa mantis trying to stop a chariot; to overrate oneself and attempt the impossible
- 鹤立鸡群hè lì jī qúnto stand head and shoulders above the rest; a crane among chickens
- 杯弓蛇影bēi gōng shé yǐngto mistake the reflection of a bow for a snake; to be plagued by groundless fears
- 惊弓之鸟jīng gōng zhī niǎoa bird startled by the mere twang of a bow; a person once frightened and now easily panicked
- 如鱼得水rú yú dé shuǐlike a fish in water; perfectly in one's element
- 黔驴技穷qián lǘ jì qióngto have exhausted one's limited tricks; at one's wit's end
- 生龙活虎shēng lóng huó hǔfull of vim and vigour; bursting with energy
- 亡羊补牢wáng yáng bǔ láobetter late than never; to mend the fold after a sheep is lost