📖 Meaning
This idiom describes someone with outstanding abilities who also acts quickly and decisively. It combines intellectual excellence with swift execution, praising those who are both capable and efficient. It is often used to commend people who outperform others through a combination of brains and speed.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase appears in Chapter 37 of 'Dream of the Red Chamber' (红楼梦) by Qing dynasty author Cao Xueqin (曹雪芹). In the scene, members of a poetry club set rules for their gathering, stating that those with ability may compose up to twelve poems, while others may contribute just one. The person with the highest talent and quickest pen would be honored as the most respected. This established '高才捷足者为尊'—the one with superior ability and speed is supreme—as a principle for the literary competition.
💡 Example Usage
在这次编程竞赛中，他凭借高才捷足率先完成了所有题目。
In this programming competition, he was the first to complete all the problems thanks to his outstanding ability and swift execution.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 高才捷足
- Pinyin: gāo cái jié zú
- Literal Translation: high, talent, swift, foot
- Category: Skill
- Characters: 4