吃老本

吃老本

Literally means:

eat off one's past gains

Actually means:

live on one's own fat; rest on one's laurels

老本 refers to one's foundation or past achievements.

This phrase describes a person who uses his former credential, his past achievement, position or what he learnt at the beginning of his trade to cope with his current work, instead of updating or refreshing his knowledge or improving his abilities to keep up with the advancing of time. It is used to describe both a person and a working unit. Derogatory.

老本，比喻原有的基础或以前的本事。

吃老本，没有随着时代的前进更新自己的知识，提高自己的本领，而是依靠原有的资历，利用过去取得的成绩、地位或最初学到的本事来应付工作。适用于个人或单位。具有贬义色彩。