脱颖而出

脫穎而出

tuōyǐng'érchū

idiom HSK 7 #10,492

Meanings

1 to stand out
2 to distinguish oneself
3 to rise above the rest

Characters

to escape; to emerge

tip of an awl; sharp point

Examples

她在比赛中脱颖而出。

Tā zài bǐsài zhōng tuōyǐng'érchū.

She stood out in the competition.

这个产品在众多竞争者中脱颖而出。

Zhège chǎnpǐn zài zhòngduō jìngzhēngzhě zhōng tuōyǐng'érchū.

This product stands out among many competitors.

Tips

history

From a story about Mao Sui (毛遂), who told his lord that a talented person is like an awl (锥) in a bag — its sharp tip (颖) will poke through and emerge (脱颖而出). It means talent will eventually be noticed.

Stroke Order

脱 tuō

颖 yǐng

而 ér

出 chū