<p>A bull has strength (有劲) but it is not agile enough to catch up with a hare. All the mighty strength it has is useless in this task of chasing a hare.</p>
<p>It is not the same as &quot;殺雞用牛刀 — 大材小用&quot; . A knife that can slaughter a cow can also kill a chicken, but a bull can only do jobs that strength is involved</p>
<p>This phrase can be used in any situation that you can apply 有劲使不上 (no use of one's strength)</p>
<p>Example:</p>
<p>要美军在阿富汗执行维持社会稳定的任务，就像要老牛追兔子一样(有劲使不上--&gt;无能為力)，他们的强大武力在处理民事工作上跟本毫无用处</p>
<p>Asking the U.S. military to perform the task of maintaining social stability in Afghanistan is like asking a bull to chase a rabbit (nowhere to apply its strength --&gt; powerless). Their powerful force is useless in handling civil work.</p>
<p>一个经济学家经营小商店真是老牛追兔子，宏观理论对实际管理一间商店是毫无用处的</p>
<p>An economist who runs a small shop is really an old cow chasing a rabbit. His macro theory is useless for the actual management of a shop.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-10T15:32:04.800Z
Could you make a sentence with it?
Kevin White
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-10T16:38:56.577Z
@Kevin White This phrase can be used in any situation that you can apply 有劲使不上 (no use of one's strength). See the examples added
Tang Ho
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-11T05:41:17.693Z
Thank you soooo much. It's crystal clear.
Kevin White
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-10T14:45:46.447Z
2021-10-10T16:36:51.517Z
2021-10-10T16:36:51.517Z
Tang Ho
<p>I know &quot;老牛追兔子--有劲使不上&quot; is a 歇后语. But why does it mean &quot;有劲使不上&quot;? Could you make a sentence with it?</p>
<p>Thanks so much.</p>

<meaning>
How can I understand “老牛追兔子--有劲使不上”?
# How can I understand “老牛追兔子--有劲使不上”?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-10-10)

I know "老牛追兔子--有劲使不上" is a 歇后语. But why does it mean "有劲使不上"? Could you make a sentence with it?

Thanks so much.

**Tags:** meaning


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2021-10-10. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

A bull has strength (有劲) but it is not agile enough to catch up with a hare. All the mighty strength it has is useless in this task of chasing a hare.

It is not the same as "殺雞用牛刀 — 大材小用" . A knife that can slaughter a cow can also kill a chicken, but a bull can only do jobs that strength is involved

This phrase can be used in any situation that you can apply 有劲使不上 (no use of one's strength)

Example:

要美军在阿富汗执行维持社会稳定的任务，就像要老牛追兔子一样(有劲使不上-->无能為力)，他们的强大武力在处理民事工作上跟本毫无用处

Asking the U.S. military to perform the task of maintaining social stability in Afghanistan is like asking a bull to chase a rabbit (nowhere to apply its strength --> powerless). Their powerful force is useless in handling civil work.

一个经济学家经营小商店真是老牛追兔子，宏观理论对实际管理一间商店是毫无用处的

An economist who runs a small shop is really an old cow chasing a rabbit. His macro theory is useless for the actual management of a shop.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Could you make a sentence with it?  
> **username_1**: @username_0 This phrase can be used in any situation that you can apply 有劲使不上 (no use of one's strength). See the examples added  
> **username_0**: Thank you soooo much. It's crystal clear.  

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