Chinese characters and pinyin
Simplified: 百尺竿头，更进一步
Traditional: 百尺竿頭，更進一步
Pinyin: bǎi chǐ gān tóu, gèng jìn yí bù
Literal translation
At the top of a hundred-foot pole, advance one step further.
Natural English meaning
Even after reaching a high level, keep improving.
Closest English equivalent
Take it to the next level.
The Chinese image emphasizes surpassing an already exceptional achievement.
When to use it
Use it to congratulate someone while encouraging further progress.
When not to use it
Do not let it erase the need to acknowledge a completed achievement.
Example sentence
你已经取得好成绩，希望再接再厉，百尺竿头，更进一步。
You have done very well; now build on that success and go one step further.
Origin and cultural context
The phrase developed from a Buddhist verse and later became a general expression of continued progress.
Classification: proverb. This label distinguishes a complete proverb or popular saying from a compact idiom or a quotation preserved from a classical text.
