后来居上

後來居上

hòuláijūshàng

idiom #34,377

Meanings

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

Characters

to occupy; to rank

Examples

他虽然起步晚，但后来居上，成了部门第一名。

Tā suīrán qǐbù wǎn, dàn hòuláijūshàng, chéng le bùmén dì-yī míng.

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

这家新公司后来居上，抢占了大部分市场。

Zhè jiā xīn gōngsī hòuláijūshàng, qiǎngzhàn le dà bùfen shìchǎng.

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

她训练刻苦，后来居上，拿了金牌。

Tā xùnliàn kèkǔ, hòuláijūshàng, 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