百里挑一

百裡挑一
bǎilǐtiāoyī
idiom #45,657

Meanings

  1. 1 one in a hundred
  2. 2 the cream of the crop
  3. 3 truly outstanding

Examples

Zhèyàng de hǎo gūniang zhēn shì bǎilǐtiāoyī.
A good girl like this is truly one in a hundred.
Gōngsī zhāopìn biāozhǔn yángé, lùqǔ de dōu shì bǎilǐtiāoyī de réncái.
The company's hiring standards are strict — everyone accepted is a one-in-a-hundred talent.
Tā de chúyì zài zhè zuò chéngshì lǐ suàndeshàng bǎilǐtiāoyī.
His cooking skills rank as one in a hundred in this city.

Tips

usage
Usually positive — describes a person, talent, or match that stands out. Often applied to marriage prospects and job candidates. For 'one in a thousand' use for extra emphasis.
mistakes
here is tiāo (to pick, to choose), not tiǎo (to provoke). Same character, different tones and meanings.

Stroke Order

bǎi
tiāo