a master hand’s first small display;give a little inkling of what one is capable ❍ 他这次出使，是一次～。His mission this time has been a master hand’s first small display.
牛刀小试niu dao xiao shi
a master hand’s first small display
牛刀小试niú dǎo xiǎo shì
牛刀：宰牛的刀；小试：稍微用一用，初步显一下身手。比喻有大才能的人，先在小事物上略施才干。a master hand’s first small display, give a little inkling one is capable, display only a small part of one’s talent