Meaning of 牛刀小试
牛刀小试 means to give a preliminary demonstration of one's great ability; to display one's considerable talent on a small task. Pronounced niú dāo xiǎo shì.
- to give a preliminary demonstration of one's great ability; to display one's considerable talent on a small task
Definitions & Examples
Tā他
chū初
dào到
gōng公
sī司
，
zhǐ只
shì是
niú牛
dāo刀
xiǎo小
shì试
，
biàn便
jiě解
jué决
le了
kùn困
rǎo扰
tuán团
duì队
yǐ已
jiǔ久
de的
jì技
shù术
nán难
tí题
。
When he first joined the company, he merely gave a preliminary demonstration of his ability and solved the technical problem that had been troubling the team for a long time.
Zhè这
wèi位
gāng钢
qín琴
dà大
shī师
jīn今
wǎn晚
zhǐ只
shì是
niú牛
dāo刀
xiǎo小
shì试
，
yǎn演
zòu奏
le了
yī一
shǒu首
jiǎn简
dān单
de的
liàn练
xí习
qǔ曲
，
què却
jì技
jīng惊
sì四
zuò座
。
The piano master only gave a preliminary display of his skill tonight, playing a simple etude, yet astonished everyone present.
Bié别
kàn看
tā他
zhè这
cì次
zhǐ只
shì是
niú牛
dāo刀
xiǎo小
shì试
，
qí其
shí实
yǐ已
jīng经
xiǎn显
lù露
le了
shēn深
hòu厚
de的
tóu投
zī资
gōng功
dǐ底
。
Don't think he was just showing preliminary skills this time; he has actually already revealed profound investment expertise.