CHENGYU
老马识途(lǎo mǎ shí tú)meaning, story and origin
- Register:
- literary, approving
- Source:
- 《韩非子·说林上》
MEANING
- Literal
- an old horse knows the way
- Figurative meaning
- experience guides the way; veterans know the ropes
ORIGIN STORY
Duke Huan of Qi and his ministers lost their way returning from a campaign. Guan Zhong set an old horse free at the head of the column, and the army followed it home — the old horse remembered the road.
NATURAL EQUIVALENT
“to know the ropes”
EXAMPLES
新地方不熟，还是让老马识途的人带路吧。Xīn dìfang bù shú, háishì ràng lǎo mǎ shí tú de rén dàilù ba.HSK6
We do not know this place; let an old horse who knows the way lead us.
老员工经验多，真是老马识途。Lǎo yuángōng jīngyàn duō, zhēn shì lǎo mǎ shí tú.HSK6
The veteran staff know the ropes — old horses that know every road.
COMMON MISTAKE
Watch out: It praises experience as guidance, not mere age.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
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TRUST & SOURCES
- Reviewed by
- AI-assisted editorial review
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-15
- CC-CEDICT 2026-01-01