老调重弹 replay the old tune
Explanation
比喻把说过多次的理论、主张重新搬出来。也比喻把搁置很久的技艺重新做起来。
A metaphor to describe that one repeats theories or viewpoints already mentioned several times, or that one revives long-neglected skills.
Origin Story
很久以前，在一个偏僻的小山村里，住着一位年过七旬的老艺人。他年轻时曾是远近闻名的琵琶大师，其精湛的技艺曾令无数人为之倾倒。然而，随着岁月的流逝，他的技艺逐渐被世人遗忘，他也渐渐淡出了人们的视线。如今，他孤身一人住在破旧的小屋里，日子过得清贫而寂寞。一天，村里来了一个年轻的记者，想要采访这位曾经的琵琶大师。记者怀着崇敬的心情找到了老艺人，并向他讲述了他年轻时辉煌的演奏经历。老艺人听后，脸上露出了久违的笑容。他抚摸着已经破旧的琵琶，心中百感交集。他向记者讲述了他年轻时的故事，以及他如何练习琵琶，如何克服困难，最终成为一代宗师的故事。记者被老艺人的故事所感动，他提议让老艺人重新演奏一次，让更多的人听到他精湛的技艺。老艺人犹豫了片刻，最终还是答应了记者的请求。他开始演奏，一曲曲动听的乐曲从他的指尖流淌而出，仿佛时光倒流，回到了他年轻的时候。虽然他的演奏不如年轻时那样完美无缺，但他那饱经沧桑的声音和流畅的指法仍然深深地打动了在场的所有人。这次演奏，让老艺人重新回到了人们的视线，也让他再次感受到了人生的价值。
Long ago, in a remote mountain village, lived a septuagenarian artist. In his youth, he was a renowned pipa master, whose exquisite skills captivated countless people. However, as time went by, his skills gradually faded from people's memory, and he gradually faded out of people's sight. Now, he lived alone in a dilapidated hut, leading a poor and lonely life. One day, a young reporter came to the village and wanted to interview this former pipa master. The reporter, with reverence, found the old artist and recounted his brilliant performance experience in his youth. After listening, the old artist's face showed a long-lost smile. He caressed his old and worn pipa, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He told the reporter about his youthful experiences, how he practiced the pipa, overcame difficulties, and ultimately became a generation of masters. Moved by the story of the old artist, the reporter proposed that the old artist should perform again so that more people could hear his exquisite skills. After a moment of hesitation, the old artist finally agreed to the reporter's request. He began to play, and one beautiful tune after another flowed from his fingertips, as if time were rewinding back to his youth. Although his playing was not as flawless as it was in his youth, his weathered voice and smooth fingering still deeply moved everyone present. This performance brought the old artist back into the public eye and allowed him to once again feel the value of life.
Usage
常用于形容重复陈述已知内容，缺乏新意。
Often used to describe the repeated statement of already known content, lacking originality.
Examples
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这场音乐会，很多曲目都是老调重弹。
zhe chang yinyue hui, hen duo qumu dou shi laodiao chongtan.
Many of the pieces in this concert are old tunes played again.
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他总是老调重弹，让人感到厌烦。
ta zong shi laodiao chongtan, rang ren gandao yanfan
He always plays the same old tune, which is annoying.