白眉

Meaning

The finest among many — the standout person or work in a group.

Origin story

The Ma family of Xiangyang had five talented brothers, the pride of their county. All five had the character "Chang" in their courtesy names, so people called them the "Five Changs of the Ma clan." The most brilliant was Ma Liang, whose eyebrows carried streaks of white hair. Locals would say, "Of the Five Changs, the white eyebrows are the finest." Thus "white eyebrows" came to mean the best among many. Ma Liang later served Liu Bei with distinction, winning over the southern tribes.

Source: Records of the Three Kingdoms — Ma Liang

Modern examples

• The crown jewel of the exhibition is the large installation in the final room.
• The film’s finest moment is unquestionably the ten-minute opening long take.