步步高升

bùbù-gāoshēng

idiom

Meanings

HSK 2

他工作努力，步步高升。

Tā gōngzuò nǔlì, bùbùgāoshēng.

He works hard and keeps climbing the ladder.

HSK 3

祝你新年步步高升！

Zhù nǐ xīnnián bùbùgāoshēng!

Wishing you promotion after promotion this new year!

history

From late-Qing novel 《二十年目睹之怪现状》 chapter 88: describing a subordinate flattering his boss with 大人步步高升 - a line still heard today.

culture

Popular New Year greeting, especially for working adults. Often written on red envelopes for coworkers.

步 bù

高 gāo

升 shēng