近水楼台

jìnshuǐlóutái

近水楼台 — jìnshuǐlóutái

1. figurative: to use one's proximity to the powerful to obtain favor; to benefit from being close to the source of advantage

   他在上司身边工作多年，常常近水楼台先得月。 tā zài shàngsī shēnbiān gōngzuò duōnián chángcháng jìnshuǐlóutáixiāndéyuè — He has worked beside his boss for years and often benefits first from the proximity.

2. literal: a pavilion near the water (image used in the idiom)

   公园里有一座近水楼台，可以看到整个湖面。 gōngyuán lǐ yǒu yīzuò jìnshuǐlóutái kěyǐ kàndào zhěnggè húmiàn — There is a pavilion by the water in the park from which you can see the whole lake.