百里挑一

百裡挑一
bǎilǐ-tiāoyī
idiom #45,657

Meanings

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

Examples

HSK 3
Zhèyàng de hǎo gūniang zhēnshì bǎilǐ-tiāoyī.
A good girl like this is truly one in a hundred.
HSK 6
Gōngsī zhāopìn biāozhǔn yángé, lùqǔ de dōu shì bǎilǐ-tiāoyī de réncái.
The company's hiring standards are strict - everyone accepted is a one-in-a-hundred talent.
HSK 7-9
Tā de chúyì zài zhè zuò chéngshì lǐ suàndeshàng bǎilǐ-tiāoyī.
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 千里挑一 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