catch up with; compare with (usu. negative)
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to catch up with; to compare with (usually used in negative constructions)
formalThis idiom is most commonly used in negative constructions such as 难以望其项背 (hard to catch up with) or 不能望其项背 (cannot compare with). Literally means 'to see someone's neck and back,' implying one is close enough to overtake them.
Tā他
de的
chéng成
jiù就
ràng让
pǔ普
tōng通
rén人
nán难
yǐ以
wàng望
qí其
xiàng项
bèi背
。
His achievements are hard for ordinary people to match.
Zài在
zhè这
fāng方
miàn面
，
méi没
yǒu有
rén人
néng能
wàng望
qí其
xiàng项
bèi背
。
In this respect, no one can compare.
Show 2 more examplesShow fewer examples
Tā她
de的
cái才
huá华
lìng令
tóng同
líng龄
rén人
wú无
fǎ法
wàng望
qí其
xiàng项
bèi背
。
Her talent puts her peers to shame.
Xiàn现
dài代
jì技
shù术
shǐ使
chuán传
tǒng统
fāng方
fǎ法
nán难
yǐ以
wàng望
qí其
xiàng项
bèi背
。
Modern technology makes traditional methods pale in comparison.