📖 Meaning
An experienced person is familiar with a situation and can guide others through it, drawing on accumulated knowledge. It emphasizes the value of experience and the wisdom that comes from having traveled a path before.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the Spring and Autumn period (春秋时期). During a military campaign led by Qi Huan Gong (齐桓公) against the northern Shan Rong (山戎) tribe in 663 BC, the Qi army lost its way on the return march through mountainous terrain in winter. The prime minister Guan Zhong (管仲) suggested releasing old horses and letting them lead the way, since their experience would guide them home. The strategy worked, and the army followed the old horses safely back.
💡 Example Usage
这项复杂的工程还是让老王来指导吧，毕竟老马识途，他经验丰富。
Let Lao Wang guide this complex project—after all, an old horse knows the way, and he has plenty of experience.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 老马识途
- Pinyin: lǎo mǎ shí tú
- Literal Translation: old, horse, knows, way
- Category: Wisdom
- Characters: 4