climb the social ladder; marry up
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to climb to a high branch; to make friends with or marry into a family of higher social status; to social climb
informalOften carries a slightly negative connotation of social climbing or marrying for status rather than love. The metaphor implies climbing up to a high branch like a bird seeking a better perch.
Tā她
zǒng总
shì是
xiǎng想
pān攀
gāo高
zhīr枝
bù儿
，
yuàn不
yì愿
guò意
píng过
fán平
de凡
rì的
zi日
子
。
She always wants to marry up and is unwilling to live an ordinary life.
Zhè这
mén门
qīn亲
shì事
suàn算
shì是
pān攀
gāo高
zhīr枝
le儿
nǚ了
，
fāng女
jiā方
hěn家
yǒu很
bèi有
jǐng背
景
。
This marriage is definitely marrying up; the bride's family is very well-connected.
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Tā他
bù不
xǐ喜
huān欢
kào靠
pān攀
gāo高
zhīr枝
lái儿
tí来
shēng提
zì升
jǐ自
de己
dì的
wèi地
位
。
He doesn't like to rely on social climbing to improve his own status.
Bié别
zǒng总
xiǎng想
zhe着
pān攀
gāo高
zhīr枝
hái儿
，
shì还
jiǎo是
tà脚
shí踏
dì实
nǔ地
lì努
gōng力
zuò工
ba作
吧
。
Stop always thinking about climbing the social ladder; it's better to keep your feet on the ground and work hard.