Definition
This is a four-character idiom (成语) with a literal meaning of "passing through checkpoints and beheading generals" — it comes from the classic novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, where Guan Yu famously fought his way past multiple checkpoints. In modern usage, it describes overcoming a series of obstacles, challenges, or strong opponents one after another, often in competitive contexts like exams, sports tournaments, or business negotiations. It carries a heroic, determined tone.
f.e.
to surmount all obstacles in one's pathto overcome every difficulty and emerge victorious
Examples
- 过关斩将,。Tā zài bǐsài zhōng guō, zuìzhōng yíngdé le guànjūn.He overcame all opponents in the competition and finally won the championship.
- 过关斩将,。Chuàngyè zhī lù rútóng yì chǎng guō de zhànzhēng, měi yī bù dōu bù róngyì.The road to entrepreneurship is like a war of overcoming obstacles — every step is not easy.
- ,过关斩将。Jīngguò céng céng xuǎnbá, tā guō jìnrù le nà suǒ dǐngjiān dàxué.After rounds of selection, she overcame all difficulties and got into that top university.
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