后来居上 hòu lái jū shàng

latecomers surpass elders; the young outdo elders

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency 34105th word

Definitions

  1. 1. lit. late-comer lives above (idiom); the up-and-coming youngster outstrips the older generation
  2. 2. the pupil surpasses the master

Characters

Character Meaning
后 hòu HSK 1
behind; after; later
来 lái HSK 1
to come; to arrive; next
居 jū HSK 3
to reside; to be (in a certain position); residence
上 shàng HSK 1
to go up; on top; above