不分上下 bù fēn shàng xià evenly matched

Explanation

指双方实力相当，难以区分高下或胜负。也指等级、地位相同，不分彼此。

Indicates that both sides are equally strong and it is difficult to distinguish between them or the outcome of the competition. It also refers to the same level or status, without distinction between the parties.

Origin Story

话说唐朝时期，两位武功高强的将军，李靖和薛仁贵，为争夺边疆守卫统帅之位，决定比武定输赢。比武当天，两位将军都使出浑身解数，招式精妙，气势磅礴。一时间刀光剑影，震耳欲聋。周围的士兵和百姓看得目瞪口呆，惊叹不已。经过几个回合的激烈比拼，两人竟难分伯仲，不分上下。最终，皇帝宣布两人并列统帅，共同守护边疆。李靖和薛仁贵心悦诚服，从此两人联手，共同抵御外敌，为大唐江山立下了赫赫战功。他们的事迹也成为了后世传颂的佳话，不分上下的比试，成就了共同的辉煌。

huà shuō táng cháo shí qī, liǎng wèi wǔ gōng gāo qiáng de jiāng jūn, lǐ jìng hé xuē rén guì, wèi zhēng duó biān jiāng shǒuwèi tǒng shuài zhī wèi, juédìng bǐ wǔ dìng shū yíng. bǐ wǔ dāng tiān, liǎng wèi jiāng jūn dōu shǐ chū hún shēn jiě shù, zhāo shì jīng miào, qì shì bàng bó. yī shí jiān dāo guāng jiàn yǐng, zhèn'ěr yúlóng. zhōuwéi de shì bīng hé bǎixìng kàn de mù dèng dāo kāi, jīngtàn bù yǐ. jīngguò jǐ gè huí hé de jīliè bǐ pīn, liǎng rén jìng nán fēn bó zhòng, bù fēn shàng xià. zuìzhōng, huángdì xuānbù liǎng rén bìng liè tǒng shuài, gòngtóng shǒuhù biān jiāng. lǐ jìng hé xuē rén guì xīn yuè chéng fú, cóng cǐ liǎng rén liánshǒu, gòngtóng dǐ yù wài dí, wèi dà táng jiāngshān lì xià le hè hè zhàng gōng. tāmen de shì jì yě chéng le hòushì chuánsòng de jiā huà, bù fēn shàng xià de bǐshì, chéngjiù le gòngtóng de huīhuáng.

During the Tang Dynasty of ancient China, two highly skilled generals, Li Jing and Xue Rengui, decided to have a martial arts competition to determine who would become the commander-in-chief of the border defense. On the day of the competition, both generals displayed their full range of skills, their moves were exquisite, and their momentum was magnificent. For a time, swords flashed, and deafening sounds filled the air. The surrounding soldiers and civilians were awestruck. After several rounds of intense competition, the two were evenly matched. Finally, the emperor declared that the two would serve as co-commanders, jointly guarding the border. Li Jing and Xue Rengui were satisfied with the decision, and from then on, they combined their forces to resist foreign enemies and established great military achievements for the Tang Dynasty. Their story became a legend passed down through generations.

Usage

常用作谓语、定语、状语，用于形容双方实力相当，难以区分高下，或指地位、等级相同。

cháng yòng zuò wèi yǔ, dìng yǔ, zhuàng yǔ, yòng yú xiāo róng shuāng fāng shí lì xiāngdāng, nán yǐ qū fēn gāo xià, huò zhǐ dì wèi, děng jí xiāngtóng.

Often used as a predicate, attributive, or adverbial, used to describe that both sides are equally strong, it is difficult to distinguish between high and low, or refer to the same status or level.

Examples

• 两队实力相当，比赛一直不分上下。

  liǎng duì shí lì xiāngdāng, bǐsài yīzhí bù fēn shàng xià

  The two teams are evenly matched, and the game remains neck and neck.

• 这场辩论赛，双方不分上下，难分胜负。

  zhè chǎng biànlùn sài, shuāngfāng bù fēn shàng xià, nán fēn shèngfù

  In this debate, both sides are evenly matched, and it's difficult to determine a winner.

Related Idioms

• 势均力敌

• 不相上下

Opposite Idioms

• 高下立判

• 一决胜负