捷足先登 Jié zú xiān dēng quick feet, first to ascend

Explanation

比喻行动迅速的人能够抢先达到目的或获得想要的东西。

This idiom describes someone who acts swiftly and thereby achieves their goal or obtains something desired first.

Origin Story

话说西汉初年，刘邦和项羽争夺天下，刘邦派韩信率兵攻打项羽，韩信凭借他的卓越才能和迅速的决策，屡屡打胜仗，最终帮助刘邦赢得了楚汉战争的胜利，这便是捷足先登的经典案例。韩信不仅用兵如神，而且善于把握时机，他的成功在于他总是能够迅速反应，抢占先机，最终取得胜利。这个故事告诉我们：在竞争激烈的社会中，谁先行动谁就能占得先机，取得成功。当然，光有速度还不够，还要有智慧和谋略，才能真正取得胜利。 但韩信的成功也并非一帆风顺，他曾经历过多次磨难和挫折，也曾因为轻敌而差点失败。但他能够从失败中吸取教训，不断总结经验，最终成就了一代名将。他的故事也警示我们：在追求成功的道路上，既要勇敢果断，也要谨慎小心，切不可轻敌冒进。

shuō huà xī hàn chū nián, liú bāng hé xiàng yǔ zhēng duó tiān xià, liú bāng pài hán xìn shuài bīng gōng dǎ xiàng yǔ, hán xìn píng jiè tā de zhuó yuè cái néng hé sùnsù de jué cè, lǚ lǚ dǎ shèng zhàng, zuì zhōng bāng zhù liú bāng yíng dé le chǔ hàn zhàn zhēng de shèng lì, zhè biàn shì jié zú xiān dēng de jīng diǎn àn lì. hán xìn bù jǐn yòng bīng rú shén, ér qiě shàn yú bǎ wò shí jī, tā de chéng gōng zài yú tā zǒng shì néng gòu sùnsù fǎn yìng, qiǎng zhàn xiān jī, zuì zhōng qǔ dé shèng lì. zhège gù shì gào sù wǒ men: zài jìng zhēng jī liè de shè huì zhōng, shuí xiān xíng dòng shuí jiù néng zhàn de xiān jī, qǔ dé chéng gōng. dāng rán, guāng yǒu sù dù hái bù gòu, hái yào yǒu zhì huì hé móu lüè, cái néng zhēn zhèng qǔ dé shèng lì.

During the early years of the Western Han Dynasty, Liu Bang and Xiang Yu fought for control of China. Liu Bang sent Han Xin to battle Xiang Yu's forces. Han Xin, with his exceptional ability and swift decision-making, won many battles and ultimately helped Liu Bang win the Chu-Han War. This is a classic example of "Jie zu xian deng". Han Xin was not only a brilliant military strategist but also adept at seizing opportunities. His success lay in his ability to react quickly and preempt his opponents, thereby gaining the upper hand. This story teaches us: In a highly competitive society, the one who acts first gains the advantage and achieves success. Of course, speed alone is insufficient. Wisdom and strategy are also necessary to achieve true victory. However, Han Xin's path to success wasn't without its hardships; he experienced many trials and setbacks, and even almost failed due to underestimation. Yet, he was able to learn from his mistakes, continuously drawing lessons from his experiences, eventually becoming a renowned general. His story also serves as a warning: On the path to success, one must be courageous and decisive, but also cautious and careful, and must avoid reckless actions.

Usage

常用作谓语、定语；形容行动迅速，抢占先机。

changyong zuo weiyǔ, dìngyǔ; xíngróng xíngdòng sùnsù, qiǎng zhàn xiānjī

Often used as a predicate or attributive; describes quick action and seizing opportunities.

Examples

• 他动作敏捷，捷足先登，获得了比赛的胜利。

  ta dongzuo minjie, jiezu xianden, huodele bisai de shengli.

  He acted quickly and won the competition.

• 公司新项目招标，他们捷足先登，抢先拿下了合同。

  gongsi xinxiangmu zhaobiao, tamen jiezu xianden,qiangxian nalaxiale hetong

  The company secured the contract by acting quickly.

Related Idioms

• 争先恐后

• 先发制人

Opposite Idioms

• 姗姗来迟

• 慢吞吞