每天成语
background texture
< 大街小巷欣欣向荣 >

脱颖而出

*The explanations on this page are generated by AI. Please note that they may contain inaccurate information.

1. Basic Information

  • Pinyin: tuō yǐng ér chū
  • English Translation: An awl poking through a bag (to stand out from the crowd)
  • Idiom Composition: 「脱」（To emerge, escape, or break through）＋「颖」（The sharp tip of an awl (representing talent)）＋「而」（A conjunction meaning 'and then'）＋「出」（To come out or appear）
  • Meaning: Literally describing the sharp point of an awl poking through the fabric of a bag, this idiom metaphorically refers to someone's talent or ability becoming visible to everyone. It is used to describe people who rise above others or distinguish themselves, especially in competitive environments.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「脱颖而出」 contains the following nuances:

  • Manifestation of Talent: It emphasizes the process where hidden talent finally gains the opportunity to be recognized by the public.
  • Selection through Competition: In modern usage, the focus is often on the result of 'winning' or 'being chosen' from a large group of candidates.

3. Usage

「脱颖而出」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

  • Competitions and Contests: The most common usage, describing winning or being selected from a large pool of rivals in auditions, sports, or exams.
    • Example:「他在几千名参赛者中脱颖而出，夺得了冠军。」
      （He stood out among thousands of contestants and won the championship.）
  • Workplace and Career: Used when an employee achieves exceptional results and is promoted or singled out for their excellence.
    • Example:「要想在激烈的职场竞争中脱颖而出，必须具备核心竞争力。」
      （To rise to the top in a fierce job market, one must possess core competitiveness.）
  • Products and Brands: Can be applied to inanimate objects like products or services that gain market attention due to superior quality.
    • Example:「这家初创公司的产品凭借独特的设计，在市场上脱颖而出。」
      （This startup's product stood out in the market due to its unique design.）

Additional Examples:

  1. 经过层层选拔，她终于脱颖而出，获得了出国留学的机会。
    （After several rounds of selection, she finally emerged from the crowd and won the opportunity to study abroad.）
  2. 只有不断创新，企业才能在行业中脱颖而出。
    （Only through continuous innovation can a company rise above the rest in the industry.）
  3. 这次面试高手如云，想要脱颖而出并不容易。
    （With so many experts at this interview, it won't be easy to distinguish oneself.）
  4. 他在关键时刻提出的方案让他在团队中脱颖而出。
    （The proposal he presented at the critical moment allowed him to stand out within the team.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

  • Origin: This idiom comes from the Records of the Grand Historian (史记), specifically the biography of Lord Pingyuan (平原君). During the Warring States period, a man named Mao Sui (毛遂) volunteered to accompany Lord Pingyuan (平原君) on a diplomatic mission. Lord Pingyuan (平原君) was skeptical, saying that a man of talent is like an awl in a bag—its point will eventually poke through. Since Mao Sui (毛遂) hadn't done anything notable in three years, the Lord doubted him.
  • Mao Sui's (毛遂) famous retort was: 'If I had been put in the bag earlier, not just my point, but the whole awl would have poked through!' He eventually proved his worth, and the phrase 脱颖而出 (tuō yǐng ér chū) became a symbol for talent that demands recognition.
  • Modern Nuance: While it originally referred to 'hidden' talent, today it is almost exclusively used in the context of competitive success, such as passing a difficult exam or a product becoming a market leader.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

6. Summary

脱颖而出 (tuō yǐng ér chū) is a highly positive idiom used when someone's talent is so great that it cannot remain hidden, much like a sharp tool eventually piercing its container. In modern contexts, it is the standard way to describe **standing out** or **rising to the top** in business, auditions, or academic competitions.

'造句' Feature Usage Guide

造句练习📝

Try creating sentences using '脱颖而出'!

0/50

每天成语 | 脱颖而出