Chinese word

脱颖而出

Pronunciation

Pinyintuō yǐng ér chū

Meaning

  • idiomstand out

Example

在工作中，她慢慢脱颖而出，成了负责人。zài gōng zuò zhōng tā màn màn tuō yǐng ér chū chéng le fù zé rén

At work, she gradually stood out and became the person in charge.

Illustration for 脱颖而出 (stand out)

More examples

他的作品在评委面前脱颖而出，赢得了好评。tā de zuò pǐn zài píng wěi miàn qián tuō yǐng ér chū yíng dé le hǎo píng

His work stood out before the judges and won praise.

Core concept

Something hidden pushes through a crowded field and becomes the feature that others notice first.

Common phrases

  • 在众多候选人中脱颖而出zài zhòng duō hòu xuǎn rén zhōng tuō yǐng ér chū

    stand out among many candidates

  • 在比赛中脱颖而出zài bǐ sài zhōng tuō yǐng ér chū

    stand out in the competition

  • 从众多作品中脱颖而出cóng zhòng duō zuò pǐn zhōng tuō yǐng ér chū

    stand out from many works

Similar words

出类拔萃chū lèi bá cuì: Excel within a group through especially strong ability or performance.
卓尔不群zhuó ěr bù qún: Display superior ability or qualities that set a person apart.
鹤立鸡群hè lì jī qún: Be strikingly noticeable within a group because of exceptional ability or presence.
崭露头角zhǎn lù tóu jiǎo: Start showing talent or capability and gain notice.

Definition in Chinese

才能或特长在众人中显露出来，显得突出。cái néng huò tè cháng zài zhòng rén zhōng xiǎn lù chū lái xiǎn de tū chū

Word origin

The idiom draws on an old image of an awl hidden in a bag: 颖 (yǐng, "awl point") protrudes, suggesting ability that cannot remain concealed.

Usage tips

  • The idiom commonly focuses on ability, work, or results rather than appearance, so it fits professional and school settings better than descriptions of bright clothes or unusual objects.

Other meanings

  • excelidiom

Opposites

Word lists with this word