一马当先
yī mǎ dāng xiān
to take the lead; to be the first to charge ahead
Character by character
一yī
one
one
马mǎ
horse
horse
当dāng
at
at
先xiān
front
front
Example
发令枪一响，他就一马当先冲了出去，一直领先到终点。
At the gun he shot into the lead and stayed in front all the way to the finish.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
A commander galloping out ahead of his troops. Said of a race leader, and in praise of someone who leads by example when there is work or danger: 关键时刻，党员一马当先.
Learn this in Lesson 146 · HSK 7–9: 马拉松热 (Marathon fever)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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