# 老谋深算

lǎo móu shēn suàn

Be experienced and calculating in strategy

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Seasoned planning and deep calculation

**Traditional Chinese:** 老謀深算

**Register:** Standard · expressive

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Describe careful foresight, often with suspicion.

Can praise prudence or imply manipulation.

## Understanding the expression

The plan comes from long experience and calculation beyond the immediate move. The expression describes someone who anticipates consequences and prepares several steps ahead. It may sound admiring in a difficult negotiation, or suspicious when motives are concealed. The distinction depends on how the foresight is used. Careful planning can protect others, while manipulation can exploit them. The phrase identifies strategic depth without by itself deciding whether the strategy deserves approval.

## Examples

他老谋深算，早留了后路。

### Traditional Chinese

他老謀深算，早留了後路。

tā lǎo móu shēn suàn ， zǎo liú le hòu lù 。

He planned shrewdly and had already prepared a fallback.

这位谈判者老谋深算。

### Traditional Chinese

這位談判者老謀深算。

zhè wèi tán pàn zhě lǎo móu shēn suàn 。

This negotiator is experienced and deeply calculating.

她看出对手老谋深算，逐条核查合同。

### Traditional Chinese

她看出對手老謀深算，逐條核查合同。

tā kàn chū duì shǒu lǎo móu shēn suàn ， zhú tiáo hé chá hé tong 。

Recognizing her opponent’s calculating strategy, she checked each contract clause.

老人老谋深算，却不欺骗伙伴。

### Traditional Chinese

老人老謀深算，卻不欺騙夥伴。

lǎo rén lǎo móu shēn suàn ， què bù qī piàn huǒ bàn 。

The older man plans shrewdly without deceiving his partners.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E8%80%81%E8%AC%80%E6%B7%B1%E7%AE%97)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=988&webMd=1&la=0)

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