跳龙门

跳龙门

Literally means:

like a carp leaping into the Dragon's Gate

Actually means:

climb up the social ladder

龙门, the Dragon's Gate is a gorge along the Yellow River in Shanxi Province of water forms a torrent. It is said that most carps from the lower the lower reaches of the river can traver no further upstream at this point, while the ones that can leap over this barrier turn into dragons. Later on, the phrase 跳龙门 is used as a metaphor for getting a rapid promotion in status. It often refers to success in examinations, progress in one's career or a promotion. Commendatory.

龙门，黄河的一个峡谷（在陕西省）。这里的水流很急。传说来自下游的鲤鱼大多数游到这里就无法再往上面游了，而能游上去的就化成了龙。后人用“跳龙门”或“鲤鱼跳龙门”来比喻地位的迅速提升。多指考试成功、事业进步、职位提升。具有褒义色彩。