争先恐后 zhēngxiān-kǒnghòu striving to be first and fearing to be last
striving to be first and fearing to be last (idiom); outdoing one another
怎么记住“争先恐后”: 争 contend + 先 first + 恐 fearful + 后 back = striving to be first and fearing to be last.
汉字
用法
- Everyone rushing to be first, afraid of lagging behind - 争先恐后地报名 (zhēngxiān-kǒnghòu de bàomíng) scrambling to sign up first.
- Describes an eager crowd surging forward; can be positive (enthusiasm) or negative (unruly jostling) depending on context.
- Structure: 争先 vie to be first, 恐后 fear being last.