copy an old trick (of other people); lack of originality ❍ 这个恶棍只是～而已，不难对付。That ruffian is just copying some old tricks of others. We can deal with him without much ado.
袭人故智智（伎）xí rén ɡù zhì
袭：因袭、套用；智：计谋。沿用别人用过的旧计策。copy an old trick, lack of originality, follow other’s old course