后来居上

後來居上

hòulái-jūshàng

idiom #34,377

Meanings

1 latecomers surpass their predecessors
2 the newcomer rises above those who came first

Characters

to occupy; to rank

Examples

HSK 5

这家新公司后来居上，抢占了大部分市场。

Zhè jiā xīn gōngsī hòulái-jūshàng, qiǎngzhàn le dàbùfen shìchǎng.

This new company surpassed the older ones and captured most of the market.

HSK 7-9

他虽然起步晚，但后来居上，成了部门第一名。

Tā suīrán qǐbù wǎn, dàn hòulái-jūshàng, chéng le bùmén dìyī míng.

Although he started late, he overtook the others and became top of the department.

HSK 7-9

她训练刻苦，后来居上，拿了金牌。

Tā xùnliàn kèkǔ, hòulái-jūshàng, ná le jīnpái.

She trained hard, outstripped her rivals, and took the gold medal.

Tips

history

From Sima Qian's 《史记·汲郑列传》 (Han dynasty). The minister Ji An complained to Emperor Wu: 陛下用群臣，如积薪耳，后来者居上 - 'Your Majesty uses officials like stacking firewood; those piled on later end up on top.' Originally a bitter metaphor about promotion by seniority of entry, now used approvingly.

usage

Today exclusively positive - admiration for someone who catches up from behind. The classical original was sarcastic; that sting is completely gone in modern use.

Stroke Order

后 hòu

来 lái

居 jū

上 shàng