旧调重弹 Replaying old tunes
Explanation
比喻重复老一套，缺乏新意。
A metaphor for repeating the same old routine, lacking originality.
Origin Story
话说唐朝有个著名的琵琶演奏家，名叫李龟年。他技艺超群，名满天下。有一天，他在宫廷里演奏，皇帝和群臣都听得如痴如醉。然而，多年以后，李龟年已经老了，他的技艺也大不如前，但他仍然在宫廷里演奏。然而，他演奏的曲目都是以前的老曲子，听起来让人感觉枯燥乏味。虽然皇帝仍然尊重他，但大臣们都觉得他是在‘旧调重弹’，没有创新。这故事说明，即使是名家，也不能墨守成规，要不断创新，才能保持活力。
It is said that there was a famous pipa player named Li Gui Nian in the Tang Dynasty. He was highly skilled and famous throughout the land. One day he played at the court, and the emperor and ministers listened with rapt attention. However, many years later, Li Gui Nian had grown old, and his skills had deteriorated. He still performed at court, but the music was his old tunes, which sounded monotonous and dull. Although the emperor still respected him, the ministers felt that he was only 'replaying old tunes', lacking innovation. This story illustrates that even famous artists cannot rest on their laurels but must constantly innovate to stay vibrant.
Usage
用于形容重复老一套，缺乏新意，多含贬义。
Used to describe something repeating the same old routine, lacking originality, often with a derogatory connotation.
Examples
-
这场演出，老调重弹，毫无新意。
zhè chǎng yǎnchū, lǎo diào chóng tán, háo wú xīn yì
This performance is boring and uninspired.
-
他总是旧调重弹，让人厌烦。
tā zǒng shì jiù diào chóng tán, ràng rén yàn fán
He always repeats himself, which is annoying