Definition
后来居上 is a four-character idiom meaning 'the latecomers surpass the earlier ones.' It describes a situation where someone who starts later or is younger overtakes predecessors in skill, achievement, or status. The phrase comes from a historical story about officials in the Han Dynasty and is often used to encourage newcomers or to comment on progress. You can use it as a predicate, e.g., 年轻人后来居上 ('the younger generation surpasses the older').
idiom
the latecomers surpass the old-timersthe later ones outdo the earlier ones
Examples
- 后来居上，。Zhè jiā xīn gōngsī hòu lái jū shàng, hěn kuài jiù chāoguò le lǎopái qǐyè.This new company, with latecomers surpassing the old-timers, quickly overtook the established enterprises.
- ，后来居上，。Zài xuéxí shàng, tā hòu lái jū shàng, cóng zuìhòu yī míng biàn chéng le dì yī míng.In studies, he surpassed those who started earlier, going from last place to first.
- 后来居上，。Niánqīng yīdài hòu lái jū shàng, zhè shì shèhuì fāzhǎn de guīlǜ.The younger generation surpasses the older — this is a law of social development.
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