老调重谈 rehash old tunes
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 for bringing up theories or claims that have been mentioned many times before. It can also refer to rekindling skills that have been put aside for a long time.
Origin Story
老张是一位经验丰富的木匠，年轻时技艺超群，制作的家具精美绝伦，远近闻名。然而，随着时间的推移，他逐渐淡出了木匠行业，转而从事其他工作。几十年后，老张退休了，闲暇之余，他想起了当年的木工技艺，便重新拾起工具，准备制作一件家具。他按照记忆中的方法，一丝不苟地进行着，但制作出来的家具却远不如当年精巧。年轻的木匠们看到他的作品，纷纷摇头叹息，说他是在老调重谈。老张听了，虽然心里有些失落，但也明白，时代变了，人们的审美也变了，他的技艺虽然没有生疏，但已无法适应现代人的需求。他开始学习新的工艺和设计理念，努力让自己跟上时代的步伐。
Old Zhang was an experienced carpenter whose skills were unparalleled in his youth. The furniture he made was exquisite and renowned far and wide. However, as time went on, he gradually faded out of the carpentry industry and pursued other endeavors. Decades later, after retiring, Old Zhang found himself reminiscing about his carpentry skills. He picked up his tools and decided to make a piece of furniture. He carefully followed the methods he remembered, but the resulting furniture was far less exquisite than his earlier works. Young carpenters, upon seeing his creation, shook their heads in disappointment, commenting that he was merely rehashing old tunes. Old Zhang, though disheartened, understood that times had changed, as had people’s tastes. His skills, though not rusty, could not keep up with modern demands. He began to learn new techniques and design concepts, striving to adapt to the changing times.
Usage
多用于书面语，形容重复陈述旧观点或旧技艺。
Mostly used in written language, to describe the repetition of old viewpoints or skills.
Examples
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这场辩论会，他只是老调重谈，没有提出任何新观点。
zhè chǎng biànlùn huì, tā zhǐshì lǎo diào chóng tán, méiyǒu tíchū rènhé xīn guāndiǎn。
In this debate, he only reiterated old arguments without presenting any new viewpoints.
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他再次演奏那首老歌，真是老调重谈。
tā zàicì yǎnzòu nà shǒu lǎo gē, zhēnshi lǎo diào chóng tán。
He played the old song again; it was just a rehash of old tunes