名列前茅

míngliéqiánmáo

idiom #29,386

Meanings

1 to rank among the best
2 to be at the top of the list
3 to place first or near the top

Characters

name; fame; rank

to be listed; to rank; to arrange

front; forward; ahead

thatch; cogon grass; vanguard signal

Examples

她在全校考试中名列前茅。

Tā zài quán xiào kǎoshì zhōng míngliéqiánmáo.

She ranked at the top in the school-wide exam.

这家公司在行业中名列前茅。

Zhè jiā gōngsī zài hángyè zhōng míngliéqiánmáo.

This company ranks among the leaders in its industry.

Tips

history

前茅 (qiánmáo) originally referred to the vanguard of an ancient Chinese army, which carried 茅 (thatch grass) as a signal flag. To 名列前茅 was literally to have your name listed among the front troops — a place of honor.

Stroke Order

名 míng

列 liè

前 qián

茅 máo