比上不足比下有余 bǐ shàng bù zú bǐ xià yǒu yú

DEFINITIONS

  1. to fall short of the best but be better than the worst
  2. can pass muster

CHARACTERS

比 bǐ
HSK 2
to compare, liken; comparison; than
上 shàng
HSK 1
top; superior, highest; go up, send up
不 bù
HSK 1
no, not; un-; negative prefix
足 zú
HSK 2
foot; attain, satisfy, enough
比 bǐ
HSK 2
to compare, liken; comparison; than
下 xià
HSK 1
under, underneath, below; down; inferior; bring down
有 yǒu
HSK 1
have, own, possess; exist
余 yú
HSK 5
I, my, me; surname; surplus