一步到位 (yī bù dào wèi) — to accomplish in one go; to achieve the desired result directly without intermediate steps

Definition

A colloquial set phrase meaning to get the final result in one go, with no intermediate steps or revisions. Negate it with 不能一步到位 when the task must be staged.

verb
to accomplish in one goto achieve the desired result directly without intermediate steps

Examples

  • 一步到位，。
    Mǎi fáng zi zuì hǎo yī bù dào wèi, xuǎn yí gè gè fāng miàn dōu mǎn yì de.
    When buying a house, it's best to get it right in one go — pick one that satisfies you in every aspect.
  • 一步到位，。
    Zhè ge fāng àn bù néng yī bù dào wèi, xū yào fēn jiē duàn shí shī.
    This plan can't be done in one step; it needs to be implemented in phases.
  • ，一步到位。
    Tā huā le hěn duō qián mǎi shè bèi, xiǎng yī bù dào wèi jiě jué wèn tí.
    He spent a lot of money on equipment, hoping to solve the problem all at once.

Origin

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

一 is drawn as one horizontal stroke, marking the number one.

Open 一 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

步 uses two 止 (foot) forms, one reversed, to show one foot stepping in front of the other.

Open 步 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
至至zhìto arrive
Sound part声符shēngfú
刀
刀dāo到dào
Same sound today

到 combines 至, meaning 'to arrive', with 刀 as the sound part. The 至 part points to the idea of reaching a stopping point.

Open 到 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
人人rénman
Sound part声符shēngfú
立
立lì位wèi
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

位 combines 人 (man), related to people, with 立, which gives the sound. It was often simply written as 立.

Open 位 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.