📖 Meaning
To rehash the same old ideas or arguments without any innovation. It describes someone who keeps bringing up the same worn-out topic or repeating the same old approach, like playing a stale melody over and over again.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the modern Chinese essayist Zhu Ziqing's essay '回来杂记' (Return Miscellany). In the essay, he observed that Beiping (present-day Beijing) had long been called a 'university city' and a 'cultural city,' and remarked that people were still '旧调重弹' — rehashing the same old tune — though this time it seemed to be played even louder. The phrase captures the weariness of hearing the same hollow labels repeated endlessly.
💡 Example Usage
他的发言毫无新意，不过是旧调重弹罢了。
His speech had nothing new to offer; it was merely rehashing the same old tune.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 旧调重弹
- Pinyin: jiù diào chóng tán
- Literal Translation: old, tune, again, play
- Category: Communication
- Characters: 4