old but still vigorous; skills undiminished by age
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
an old person's skills or vigor are as sharp as ever; the old warrior's sword is still sharp
commendatoryUsed to praise an elderly person who maintains excellent skills, physical prowess, or mental acuity. Often appears in sports, arts, or professional contexts. The metaphor compares an old but sharp treasured sword to a skilled veteran.
Zhāng张
jiào教
liàn练
suī虽
rán然
liù六
shí十
duō多
le了
，
dàn但
shàng上
chǎng场
zhǐ指
dǎo导
yī依
rán然
sī思
lù路
qīng清
xī晰
，
zhēn真
shì是
bǎo宝
dāo刀
bù不
lǎo老
。
Coach Zhang is over sixty, but his on-court guidance is still sharp and clear. Truly, the old blade hasn't lost its edge.
Yé爷
ye爷
tuì退
xiū休
hòu后
hái还
zài在
xiě写
shū书
fǎ法
，
bǐ笔
lì力
qiú遒
jìng劲
，
dà大
jiā家
dōu都
shuō说
tā他
bǎo宝
dāo刀
bù不
lǎo老
。
After retiring, Grandpa still practices calligraphy with powerful strokes. Everyone says his skills are undiminished by age.
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Zhè这
wèi位
lǎo老
jiàng将
zài在
jué决
sài赛
zhōng中
lián连
dé得
shí十
fēn分
，
zhǎn展
xiàn现
le了
bǎo宝
dāo刀
bù不
lǎo老
de的
wáng王
zhě者
fēng风
fàn范
。
This veteran scored ten consecutive points in the finals, showing the vigor of an old but still sharp blade.