copy an old trick (of other people); lack of originality ? 這個惡棍只是～而已，不難對付。That ruffian is just copying some old tricks of others. We can deal with him without much ado.
襲人故智智（伎）xí rén ɡù zhì
襲：因襲、套用；智：計謀。沿用別人用過的舊計策。copy an old trick, lack of originality, follow other’s old course