To be still capable and skillful despite one's advanced age or long absence from a particular field; one's abilities remain undiminished, like a treasured sword that never loses its sharpness.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Antonym:
Story:
During the Three Kingdoms period, Wei general Zhang He attacked the Hanzhong region of Shu. The defending general sent an urgent report.
The veteran general Huang Zhong volunteered to lead the expedition, bringing along another old general, Yan Yan, as his deputy.
When the two armies confronted each other at the pass, Zhang He ridiculed Huang Zhong, saying he was too old to be fighting. Huang Zhong, filled with righteous anger, retorted, "How dare you, young man, mock my age! My treasured sword is not old!"
This idiom later evolved to describe someone whose skills and abilities remain as sharp as ever, despite their advanced age or long period of inactivity.