Chinese idiom · 成语
平步青云
Meaning
To rise to the clouds in one step; rapid promotion.
Character by character
Origin and story
Literary sourceThe idiom joins two established images of advancement: taking an easy step and reaching the clouds. In the Shiji, volume 79, Xu Jia is astonished to discover that Fan Ju has become Qin’s chief minister; his apology speaks of Fan Ju reaching above the blue clouds. In a later poem sent from Xunyang, Bai Juyi contrasts his own situation with friends who seem to step smoothly into high office.
The complete expression is attested in Song writing, including a poem by Wang Shipeng and Yuan Wen’s Wengyou Xianping. These literary uses support a metaphor of swift, smooth promotion rather than a single tale of someone physically ascending into the sky.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
他刚入行就想平步青云，却连基本业务都还没学会。
He has only just entered the profession and already wants to rise straight to the top, though he hasn't learned the basics yet.
Describes an unusually smooth rise to a high position; context may convey admiration or skepticism.