功成身退

gōngchéng-shēntuì

idiom #50,329

Meanings

1 to retire after achieving success
2 to step back once the job is done
3 to withdraw gracefully at one's peak

Characters

achievement, merit

to retreat, withdraw

Examples

HSK 4

他完成项目后选择功成身退。

Tā wánchéng xiàngmù hòu xuǎnzé gōngchéng-shēntuì.

After finishing the project, he chose to step aside gracefully.

HSK 7-9

这位老教练功成身退，令人敬佩。

Zhè wèi lǎo jiàoliàn gōngchéng-shēntuì, lìngrén jìngpèi.

The veteran coach retired at the top - admirable.

Tips

history

From 《老子》 chapter 9: 功成、名遂、身退，天之道, a Daoist ideal of knowing when to stop and avoid overreach.

Stroke Order

功 gōng

成 chéng

身 shēn

退 tuì