📖 Meaning
To be one notch above others, literally 'higher by one tally chip.' It describes someone or something that is slightly superior or more capable than others in comparison. Used to praise someone's greater skill, wisdom, or achievement.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the Qing dynasty novel '官场现形记' (A Record of Officialdom) by Li Baojia, Chapter 15. In the story, Sun Wen remarks admiringly that a certain public official is a statesman of the nation, and that all of his policies and measures are 'one notch above' those of Wen and his peers. Sun modestly states that he therefore sees no need to offer his own opinions. The phrase has since become a common expression for being slightly more outstanding than others.
💡 Example Usage
这篇论文的论证深度比其他几篇高出一筹。
The depth of argumentation in this paper is a notch above the others.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 高出一筹
- Pinyin: gāo chū yī chóu
- Literal Translation: high, out, one, tally chip
- Category: Quality
- Characters: 4