一马当先 yī mǎ dāng xiān Leading the charge

Explanation

这个成语形容一个人做事领先、带头，积极主动。

This idiom describes someone who is leading, taking the initiative and being proactive in doing things.

Origin Story

在古代战场上，战鼓擂响，士兵们排成整齐的队列，准备冲锋。这时，一位将军策马飞奔，第一个冲向敌阵，他的士兵们也紧随其后，势不可挡。这便是“一马当先”的典故。

zài gǔ dài zhàn chǎng shàng, zhàn gǔ léi xiǎng, shì bīng men pái chéng zhěng qí de duì liè, zhǔn bèi chōng fēng. zhè shí, yī wèi jiāng jūn cè mǎ fēi bēn, dì yī gè chōng xiàng dí zhèn, tā de shì bīng men yě jǐn suí qí hòu, shì bù kě dǎng. zhè biàn shì “yī mǎ dāng xiān” de diǎn gù.

On an ancient battlefield, the war drums beat, and the soldiers lined up in neat rows, ready to charge. At that moment, a general galloped ahead on his horse, the first to charge into the enemy's formation. His soldiers followed close behind, unstoppable. This is the story of "leading the charge" - “一马当先” .

Usage

这个成语多用于赞扬工作、学习或比赛中表现突出的人。

zhè ge chéng yǔ duō yòng yú zàn yáng gōng zuò, xué xí huò bǐ sài zhōng biǎo xiàn tū chū de rén.

This idiom is often used to praise people who excel in work, study or competition.

Examples

• 比赛一开始，他就一马当先，冲在了最前面。

  bǐ sài yī kāi shǐ, tā jiù yī mǎ dāng xiān, chōng zài le zuì qián miàn.

  He was the first to start the race.

• 在工作中，我们要一马当先，勇于担当。

  zài gōng zuò zhōng, wǒ men yào yī mǎ dāng xiān, yǒng yú dān dàng.

  At work, we must take the initiative and take responsibility.

• 学习也要一马当先，才能取得好成绩。

  xué xí yě yào yī mǎ dāng xiān, cái néng qǔ dé hǎo chéng jì.

  To achieve good results, we must be the first in learning.

Related Idioms

• 遥遥领先

• 争先恐后

• 首当其冲

• 冲锋陷阵

Opposite Idioms

• 后来居上

• 后起之秀

• 落后

• 拖后腿