比肩而立 stand side by side
Explanation
比肩:并肩。肩并肩地站立。比喻彼此距离极近,也指地位、才能相同。
Shoulder to shoulder. Metaphorically describes two people very close to each other; or of similar status and ability.
Origin Story
话说战国时期,齐国有个名叫孟尝君的人,以其门客众多而闻名天下。一日,孟尝君的门客们在府中聚会,宾客们谈笑风生,好不热闹。突然,一个门客说道:"君上,如今齐国人才济济,您看,这府中如此之多的门客,个个都是才华横溢之士,简直是比肩而立啊!"孟尝君听了这话,不禁感慨万千,心想:"是啊,能有如此多的贤才辅佐,齐国何愁不强盛呢?"于是,他更加重视人才的培养与引进,最终使齐国国力空前强大,成为当时战国七雄中最强大的国家之一。
In ancient China, during the Warring States period, there was a man named Meng Changjun, who was known throughout the land for the large number of his retainers. One day, Meng Changjun's retainers gathered at his manor. The guests chatted and laughed, creating a lively atmosphere. Suddenly, one retainer said, "My lord, Qi is now overflowing with talent. Look at the many talented retainers in this manor! They stand shoulder to shoulder!" Upon hearing these words, Meng Changjun was deeply moved and thought, "Indeed, with so many capable advisors, how could Qi not prosper?" Therefore, he placed even more emphasis on cultivating and recruiting talent, eventually leading to Qi's unprecedented power and becoming one of the strongest of the seven warring states.
Usage
常用来形容人才众多,或事物彼此距离很近。
Often used to describe a large number of talents or the close proximity of things.
Examples
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两人并肩而立,像两棵挺拔的松树。
liǎng rén bìng jiān ér lì, xiàng liǎng kē tǐng bá de sōng shù
The two stood side by side, like two tall pine trees.
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他们比肩而立,共同面对挑战。
tāmen bǐ jiān ér lì, gòngtóng miàn duì tiǎozhàn
They stood shoulder to shoulder, facing the challenges together.