老马识途lǎo mǎ shí túan old hand knows the ropes

1. 1.

   an old hand knows the ropesidiom

2. 2.

   an old horse knows the way (idiom); an experienced worker knows what to doidiom

Figurative meaning

An old hand knows the ropes.

• 老experienced
• 马horse
• 识to know
• 途way

The story

Guan Zhong said, "The wisdom of an old horse can be used."

老马识途 can describe a person whose long experience lets them guide others through a task.

1. HSK 3

   他在公司工作了二十年，老马识途，什么问题都知道怎么办。

   Tā zài gōngsī gōngzuò le èrshí nián, lǎo mǎ shí tú, shénme wèntí dōu zhīdào zěnme bàn.

   He has worked at the company for twenty years. An old hand knows the ropes, so he knows how to handle any problem.

2. HSK 3

   办这件事以前，最好问问老马识途的同事。

   Bàn zhè jiàn shì yǐqián, zuìhǎo wènwen lǎo mǎ shí tú de tóngshì.

   Before handling this matter, it's best to ask an experienced coworker who knows the ropes.

1. 
   Speaker A:

   这件事我不会办。

   Zhè jiàn shì wǒ bú huì bàn.

   I don't know how to handle this.

2. 
   Speaker B:

   问问王老师吧。

   Wènwen Wáng lǎoshī ba.

   Ask Teacher Wang.

3. 
   Speaker A:

   他知道怎么办吗？

   Tā zhīdào zěnme bàn ma?

   Does he know what to do?

4. 
   Speaker B:

   当然，老马识途嘛。

   Dāngrán, lǎo mǎ shí tú ma.

   Of course. An old hand knows the ropes.

1. 1.What does 老马识途 mean?

   AAn old hand knows the ropesBAn old horse runs slowlyCTo get lost on the road
2. 2.Which sentence uses 老马识途 correctly?

   A他工作了很多年，老马识途。B这杯茶很老马识途。C我老马识途地吃饭。
3. 3.Which word fits best? 有问题就问他，他____。 (If you have a problem, ask him. He's an old hand who knows the ropes.)

   A老马识途B班门弄斧C买椟还珠

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