争先恐后
zhēng xiān kǒng hòu
Vying to be first · trad. 爭先恐後
People strive to be first, fearing to fall behind. It describes a situation where many individuals are eagerly competing or rushing forward, each wanting to be ahead of others.
What does 争先恐后 (zhēng xiān kǒng hòu) mean?
争先恐后 (zhēng xiān kǒng hòu) means "vying to be first" in English. Word for word, it breaks down as "contend for first, fear falling behind."
Character by character
- 争 zhēng contend, vie
- 先 xiān first, ahead
- 恐 kǒng fear, dread
- 后 hòu behind, after
When to use it
Often describes a scene where many people are rushing forward, eager to get ahead of others, sometimes implying a lack of order or a frantic scramble. It applies to physical actions, like running a race or boarding a train, as well as metaphorical competition for resources or opportunities.
Example
发令枪一响，运动员们争先恐后地在跑道上飞奔起来。
Fālìngqiāng yìxiǎng, yùndòngyuán men zhēng xiān kǒng hòu de zài pǎodào shàng fēibēn qǐlai.
When the starting gun fired, the athletes sprinted onto the track, each vying to be first.
Pro tip: The 'fear of falling behind' aspect is key to understanding this idiom, as it highlights the strong motivation driving individuals to 'contend for first place'.
Related idioms
与众不同 · Being different from others赞叹不已 · Endless admiration自言自语 · Talking to oneself
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