climb higher; keep up with the Joneses; marry up
Meanings
3 senses · 9 examplesverb
to climb higher; to rise (of prices, sales, temperature, etc.)
Commonly used for numerical values, sales figures, or physical height.
Since the beginning of summer, air conditioner sales have been climbing steadily.
Stock prices continue to climb, greatly boosting investor confidence.
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The temperature has been climbing steadily these past few days.
verb
to compete with or compare oneself to those who are superior; to keep up with the Joneses
Often implies an unhealthy competitive psychology (攀高心理). Used to describe social comparison behavior.
Parents shouldn't use their children to compete with others.
This kind of 'keeping up with the Joneses' mentality makes people live very tiring lives.
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Don't always compare yourself with others who are better; compare with yourself.
verb
to seek connection with or marry into a higher social status; to reach for what is beyond one's station
formalOften used in humble or negative contexts. '不敢攀高' is a common expression showing humility when declining association with higher-status individuals.
I dare not seek to climb so high (humble expression declining association with higher status).
Our family is ordinary; we dare not seek connections with the powerful.
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You are trying to marry up / climb to a high branch (seek association with higher status).