功成身退

gōngchéngshēntuì

idiom #50,329

Meanings

1 to retire after achieving success
2 to step back once the job is done
3 to withdraw gracefully at one's peak

Characters

achievement, merit

to retreat, withdraw

Examples

他完成项目后选择功成身退。

Tā wánchéng xiàngmù hòu xuǎnzé gōngchéngshēntuì.

After finishing the project, he chose to step aside gracefully.

这位老教练功成身退，令人敬佩。

Zhè wèi lǎo jiàoliàn gōngchéngshēntuì, lìng rén jìngpèi.

The veteran coach retired at the top — admirable.

Tips

history

From 《老子》 chapter 9: 功成、名遂、身退，天之道 — a Daoist ideal of knowing when to stop and avoid overreach.

Stroke Order

功 gōng

成 chéng

身 shēn

退 tuì