望尘莫及 wàng chén mò jí — so far behind one cannot even see the dust; far inferior

望尘莫及
wàng chén mò jí

Characters: 望 · 尘 · 莫 · 及

Definitions

  1. so far behind one cannot even see the dust; far inferior

More definitions

CC-CEDICT

  1. lit. to see only the other rider's dust and have no hope of catching up (idiom)
  2. to be far inferior

ExtDict

  1. 莫：不
  2. 及：赶上。望见前面骑马的人走过扬起的尘土而不能赶上。比喻远远落在后面。

Examples

  • 他的学业突飞猛进，旁人望尘莫及。

    His studies advanced by leaps and bounds, leaving others far behind.

  • 论技艺精湛，我辈望尘莫及。

    As for masterful skill, we can only gaze at his dust from afar.