故伎重演

gùjì-chóngyǎn
idiom #47,644

Meanings

  1. 1 to perform an old trick again
  2. 2 to repeat the same old stratagem
  3. 3 up to one's old tricks

Examples

HSK 5
Tā měicì shībài dōu guài biérén, zhècì yòu gùjìchóngyǎn.
He blames others for every failure - this time he's at it again.
HSK 7-9
Zhàpiàn tuánhuǒ gùjìchóngyǎn, yòu piàn le bùshǎo lǎorén.
The scam ring pulled the same old trick again and swindled many elderly people.
HSK 7-9
Duìshǒu gùjìchóngyǎn, shǐ chū le tóngyàng de kāijú zhànshù.
The opponent fell back on the same old playbook, opening with the identical tactic.

Tips

usage
Always negative - used when someone repeats a tactic that's transparent, dishonest, or already failed before. Don't apply it to someone simply using a proven good strategy.
mistakes
Often miswritten as 故技重演 with (skill) instead of (trick / ploy). Both forms appear in modern texts; is the original and carries a more clearly pejorative tone.

Stroke Order

zhòng
yǎn