# 脱颖而出

tuō yǐng ér chū

Stand out through evident talent

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** A sharp tip emerges

**Traditional Chinese:** 脫穎而出

**Register:** Appreciative · expressive

[Effort & growth](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/effort)

## When to use it

Describe excellence becoming visible among competitors.

Requires a meaningful comparison or field.

## Understanding the expression

A sharp point pushing into view gives the expression an image of talent becoming impossible to overlook. Someone distinguishes themselves among candidates, artists, or competitors through a notable performance. The phrase emphasizes visible merit rather than simply gaining publicity. A person can also stand out after a period of quiet preparation. The surrounding context should show what quality emerged and the group or situation in which it became recognizable.

## Examples

她在比赛中脱颖而出。

### Traditional Chinese

她在比賽中脫穎而出。

tā zài bǐ sài zhōng tuō yǐng ér chū 。

She distinguished herself in the competition.

这份设计在百份方案中脱颖而出。

### Traditional Chinese

這份設計在百份方案中脫穎而出。

zhè fèn shè jì zài bǎi fèn fāng àn zhōng tuō yǐng ér chū 。

This design stood out among a hundred proposals.

新人凭演技脱颖而出。

### Traditional Chinese

新人憑演技脫穎而出。

xīn rén píng yǎn jì tuō yǐng ér chū 。

The newcomer stood out through acting ability.

他从众多候选人中脱颖而出。

### Traditional Chinese

他從眾多候選人中脫穎而出。

tā cóng zhòng duō hòu xuǎn rén zhōng tuō yǐng ér chū 。

He emerged as an outstanding candidate among many applicants.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E8%84%AB%E7%A9%8E%E8%80%8C%E5%87%BA)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=823&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [玩物丧志 wán wù sàng zhì Lose ambition through excessive indulgence ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wan-wu-sang-zhi)

- [望洋兴叹 wàng yáng xīng tàn Feel unable to undertake something beyond one’s capacity ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wang-yang-xing-tan)

- [韦编三绝 wéi biān sān jué Study a text repeatedly and diligently ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wei-bian-san-jue)

- [文不加点 wén bù jiā diǎn Compose fluently without needing revisions ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wen-bu-jia-dian)

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