老马识途

老馬識途

lǎomǎ-shítú

idiom #95,301

Meanings

1 an old horse knows the way
2 experience is the best guide

Characters

Examples

HSK 5

遇到难题还是要靠老马识途。

Yùdào nántí háishi yào kào lǎomǎshítú.

When faced with a hard problem, you still need to rely on experienced hands.

HSK 6

他老马识途，很快就把项目理顺了。

Tā lǎomǎshítú, hěnkuài jiù bǎ xiàngmù lǐshùn le.

Like an old horse that knows the road, he sorted out the project in no time.

Tips

history

From 《韩非子·说林上》: during a campaign against the Guzhu tribe, Duke Huan of Qi's (齐桓公) army became lost returning home in winter. The minister Guan Zhong (管仲) proposed releasing old horses to lead the way, reasoning they would remember the outbound path. The horses led them out safely.

Stroke Order

老 lǎo

马 mǎ

识 shí

途 tú