走马上任
zǒu mǎ shàng rèn
to take up a new post
Character by character
走zǒu
ride
ride
马mǎ
horse
horse
上shàng
take up
take up
任rèn
office
office
Example
新校长下周一走马上任。
The new head teacher takes up the post next Monday.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
In old Chinese 走 meant “to run”, so 走马 is to ride fast: an official galloping off to his new post. Today a lively news word for anyone taking up a new post, especially a leading one: a minister, a head teacher, a new coach.
Learn this in Lesson 198 · HSK 7–9: 村委会选举 (Village elections)
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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