平步青云

Pronunciation: píng bù qīng yún Literal meaning: Level steps to blue clouds

Origin & Usage

This idiom describes level (平) steps (步) to blue (青) clouds (云). It depicts rising to great heights with ease, as if walking casually into the sky. The phrase describes effortless ascent to high positions. Modern usage describes rapid, seemingly effortless career advancement, meteoric rises to success.

Examples

English: "His rapid promotion took everyone by surprise."

Chinese: 他的快速晋升让所有人惊讶，简直平步青云。