升堂入室 shēng táng rù shì

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. to reach the main room and enter the chamber (idiom)
  2. fig. to gradually attain proficiency
  3. to attain a higher level

CHARACTERS

升 shēng arise, go up; hoist; advance
堂 táng hall; government office
入 rù enter, come in(to), join
室 shì room, home, house, chamber