青云直上 — “To rise rapidly in position”
青云直上 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to rise rapidly in position”. To have a meteoric rise in one's career or status; to quickly ascend to a high rank. Literally, “Straight up to the green clouds; Soaring straight into the blue sky”.
青云直上 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 青qīng
- 云yún
- 直zhí
- 上shàng
青云直上 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 青云直上
Origin and Story of 青云直上
During the Warring States period, Fan Ju from the state of Wei was exceptionally talented but suffered from poverty. He had to work under Zhong Daifu Xu Jia.
Once, Xu Jia was ordered by the King of Wei to go on a diplomatic mission to the state of Qi, and Fan Ju accompanied him. King Xiang of Qi greatly admired Fan Ju's eloquence and ordered people to reward him with gold and fine wine. Xu Jia suspected Fan Ju of doing something detrimental to the state of Wei and reported the matter to Prime Minister Wei Qi. Wei Qi was enraged and had Fan Ju severely beaten.
Fan Ju eventually feigned death to escape to the state of Qin, where he changed his name to Zhang Lu. Relying on his outstanding talent, Fan Ju quickly gained the appreciation of King Zhaoxiang of Qin and was promoted to be the Prime Minister of Qin.
At this time, the state of Wei, hearing that Qin intended to attack Han and Wei, sent Xu Jia to Qin to seek peace. Upon learning this, Fan Ju decided to take revenge on Xu Jia. He dressed in old, worn-out clothes to meet Xu Jia.
Xu Jia took pity on him, hosted him, and even gave him a robe. Fan Ju deliberately offered to take Xu Jia to meet Zhang Lu, who was then the powerful Prime Minister of Qin. Upon arriving at the Prime Minister's residence, Xu Jia realized that Prime Minister Zhang was none other than Fan Ju.
Xu Jia immediately kowtowed, declaring himself guilty of a "death-worthy crime," and said, "I never imagined you could rise so quickly. From now on, I dare not discuss the talents of the world, nor dare I interfere in political affairs. I have committed a grave offense, please punish me." Fan Ju enumerated his three offenses but, remembering Xu Jia's kindness in giving him the robe, considered him to have some sense of loyalty and ultimately spared him.
Idioms Related to 青云直上
Synonyms of 青云直上
Antonyms of 青云直上
More idioms starting with 青
- qīng青sī丝bái白mǎ马rebels or insurgents
- qīng青yún云wàn万lǐ里Boundless and brilliant future
- qīng青yún云dé得yì意achieve great career success
- qīng青yún云dé得lù路have a smooth and successful career path
- qīng青yún云dú独bù步unrivaled in one's field
- qīng青chū出yú于lán蓝The student surpasses the teacher
- qīng青chū出yú于lán蓝ér而shèng胜yú于lán蓝The student surpasses the teacher
- qīng青kǒu口bái白shé舌speak carelessly and offensively
- qīng青shǐ史chuán传míng名earn lasting fame in history
- qīng青shǐ史chuí垂míng名achieve lasting fame in history
- qīng青shǐ史biāo标míng名leave a glorious name in history
- qīng青shǐ史liú流fāng芳leave a good name in history
Questions about 青云直上
- What does 青云直上 mean?
- 青云直上 (qīng yún zhí shàng) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to rise rapidly in position”.
- How do you pronounce 青云直上?
- 青云直上 is pronounced qīng yún zhí shàng in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 青云直上 literally mean?
- Literally, 青云直上 means “Straight up to the green clouds; Soaring straight into the blue sky”. It is used to mean “to rise rapidly in position”.
- Where does 青云直上 come from?
- 青云直上 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 青云直上?
- 青云：指青天；直上：直线上升。指迅速升到很高的地位。