毛遂自荐

Pronunciation: máo suì zì jiàn Literal meaning: Mao Sui recommends himself

Origin & Usage

Zhao needed an alliance with Chu and the Lord of Pingyuan could find only nineteen suitable men among his retainers. Mao Sui (毛遂) put himself (自) forward (荐). Asked how long he had been in the household and told three years, the lord said that a man of ability is like an awl in a bag — the point shows at once — and nothing had been heard of him. Mao Sui answered that he was asking to be put in the bag today; had he been in it earlier, the whole blade would be through by now. He went, and it was Mao Sui who forced the Chu king to terms. The Records of the Grand Historian tells it, and it also gives Chinese 脱颖而出.

Examples

English: "When no one else stepped forward, she boldly volunteered to lead the difficult project"

Chinese: 当没有人愿意站出来时，她主动请缨领导这个困难的项目