脱颖而出

脫穎而出

tuōyǐng'érchū

idiom HSK 7-9 #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

HSK 3

她在比赛中脱颖而出。

Tā zài bǐsài zhōng tuōyǐng'érchū.

She stood out in the competition.

HSK 5

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 毛遂 (Mao Sui), 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