中状元

Traditional (Taiwan): 中狀元

zhòngzhuàngyuan ㄓㄨㄥˋ ㄓㄨㄤˋ ˙ㄩㄢ

    • to come first in an exam or competition
    • to achieve the best result

Character by character

Saying俗语俗語

Idiom惯用语 · In everyday use

Literally
win the top place in the imperial exam
Meaning
To come first in an exam or competition; to achieve the best result. Humorous or approving.

Sources