📖 Meaning
Literally the top of a hundred-foot pole. It is used as a metaphor for reaching a very high level of achievement in one's career, studies, or official position. The phrase is often paired with '更进一步' (to advance one more step), urging one to keep improving even after attaining great success.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from a poem by the Tang dynasty poet Wu Rong titled 'The Merchant' (商人), which contains the line 'At the top of a hundred-foot pole, the wind pennant slants; where in this life is not a home?' The imagery draws on the tall poles used in acrobatic performances or as ship masts. Over time it became a metaphor for reaching the pinnacle of achievement. Buddhist texts later extended the expression with '更进一步' to encourage further progress beyond the summit.
💡 Example Usage
他在学术上已取得百尺竿头的成就，却仍然孜孜不倦地探索新领域。
He has achieved the pinnacle of academic success, yet he continues to explore new fields with tireless dedication.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 百尺竿头
- Pinyin: bǎi chǐ gān tóu
- Literal Translation: hundred, foot, pole, top
- Category: Success
- Characters: 4