后来者居上 Later comers are superior
Explanation
指后来的人或事物超过先前的人或事物。比喻后来居上，超过先前。
Refers to later people or things surpassing previous people or things. It is a metaphor for later people surpassing earlier ones.
Origin Story
话说汉武帝时期，有个名叫汲黯的大臣，以耿直敢言著称。他多次直言劝谏汉武帝，但汉武帝却常常不听他的劝告，甚至将他贬官到偏远地区。汲黯在东海郡任职期间，政绩斐然，百姓安居乐业。汉武帝听说后，将他召回朝廷。然而，汲黯依旧秉持直言的作风，这让汉武帝再次感到不满，又将他冷落一旁。汲黯感叹道："陛下用人，如同堆柴一般，后来者居上，这便是朝廷的现状啊！"
During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, there was a minister named Ji An, known for his honesty and outspokenness. He repeatedly advised Emperor Wu frankly, but Emperor Wu often ignored his advice and even demoted him to a remote region. During his tenure in Donghai County, Ji An achieved outstanding results, and the people lived in peace and prosperity. Emperor Wu, upon hearing this, summoned him back to the court. However, Ji An remained outspoken, which displeased Emperor Wu again, and he was sidelined once more. Ji An sighed: "Your Majesty's use of officials is like stacking firewood; later arrivals surpass earlier ones. This is the state of the court!"
Usage
多用于比喻后来者超过先前者，常用于对历史人物的评价、对社会现象的概括总结。
Often used to illustrate that later people or things surpass earlier ones. Often used to evaluate historical figures or summarize social phenomena.
Examples
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这家公司虽然成立时间不长，但发展迅速，后来者居上，已经成为行业领军企业。
zhè jiā gōngsī suīrán chénglì shíjiān bù cháng, dàn fāzhǎn xùnsù, hòuláizhě jū shàng, yǐjīng chéngwéi hángyè lǐngjūn qǐyè。
Although this company was founded not long ago, its rapid development has led to its rise to the top, becoming a leading enterprise in the industry.
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这场比赛中，虽然我们起步慢，但后来居上，最终取得了胜利。
zhè chǎng bǐsài zhōng, suīrán wǒmen qǐbù màn, dàn hòulái jū shàng, zuìzhōng qǔdéle shènglì。
In this competition, although we started slowly, we eventually won by surpassing others.