📖 Meaning
A metaphor for a person of outstanding talent whose abilities inevitably reveal themselves. The image comes from an awl whose sharp tip pierces through a bag, signifying excellence that cannot remain hidden. It describes someone whose distinction stands out naturally among others.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom fuses two phrases from a single story recorded in Sima Qian's Records of the Grand Historian (史记), compiled in the Western Han dynasty. During the Warring States period, Mao Sui (毛遂) recommended himself to Lord Pingyuan of Zhao (赵平原君) for a diplomatic mission to the state of Chu. He argued that had he been placed in a bag like an awl, not merely its tip but the whole awl would have already broken through. The expressions 颖脱而出 (the tip breaking out) and 锥处囊中 (an awl inside a bag) were later merged into 脱颖囊锥, denoting talent so sharp it inevitably shows itself.
💡 Example Usage
他是团队中脱颖囊锥之才，入职不到三年便被提拔为技术总监。
He is a standout talent on the team—within three years of joining, he was promoted to technical director.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 脱颖囊锥
- Pinyin: tuō yǐng náng zhuī
- Literal Translation: reveal, awl tip, bag, awl
- Category: Quality
- Characters: 4