出头 chūtóu to get out of a predicament
to get out of a predicament; to stick out; to take the initiative; remaining odd fraction after a division; a little more than
How to remember 出头: 出 go out + 头 head = to get out of a predicament.
Characters
How it is used
- Several senses. Figuratively 'to get out of a hard spot / rise above one's troubles': 熬出头 (áo chūtóu) to finally see daylight after long hardship, 出头之日 (the day one's fortunes turn).
- Also 'to stick one's neck out / take the lead': 出头露面 (chūtóu-lòumiàn) to appear in the limelight. And after a number, 'a bit more than': 三十出头 (sānshí chūtóu) just over thirty.