Definition
一步登天 literally means 'one step to ascend to heaven'. It describes someone who achieves a very high position or success very quickly, often implying that it is unrealistic or that they are trying to skip necessary steps. You can use it to caution against expecting instant success without effort.
f.e.
to have a meteoric riseto achieve success overnight (often implying it is unrealistic or too fast)
Examples
- ，一步登天。Tā bù xiǎng nǔlì gōngzuò, zǒng xiǎng yī bù dēng tiān.He doesn't want to work hard; he always wants to achieve success overnight.
- ，一步登天。Xuéxí méiyǒu jiéjìng, bù kěnéng yī bù dēng tiān.There are no shortcuts in learning; you can't achieve success overnight.
- 一步登天，。Tā de chénggōng bú shì yī bù dēng tiān, ér shì duō nián nǔlì de jiéguǒ.His success wasn't a meteoric rise; it was the result of many years of hard work.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.