挑大梁 (tiǎo dà liáng) — (idiom) to assume a leading role; to shoulder the most important responsibility; (idiom) to be the lead actor or actress; to play the starring role

Definition

Idiom meaning to take on the leading role or shoulder the heaviest responsibility — literally 'to carry the main beam.' Used for the key person in a team, project, or performance.

idiom
to assume a leading roleto shoulder the most important responsibilityto be the lead actor or actressto play the starring role

Examples

  • 挑大梁
    Tā zài gōng sī lǐ tiǎo dà liáng, fù zé zuì hé xīn de xiàng mù.
    He takes on the leading role in the company, responsible for the most core projects.
  • 挑大梁
    Zhè bù diàn yǐng yóu tā tiǎo dà liáng, yǎn jì shòu dào yí zhì hǎo píng.
    He played the lead in this film, and his acting received unanimous praise.
  • Zhè yì nián lái, tā yí gè rén tiāo qǐ gōng sī de dà liáng, fēi cháng xīn kǔ.
    Over the past year, he single-handedly shouldered the company's heavy responsibility — it was very tough.

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