高人一等

• 高(tall; high; tower; tall building)ASSOCIATIVE

A tall tower reaching high is drawn with a roof, gate, and stacked foundation layers piled on top of each other.

• 人(person; human (pictographic))ASSOCIATIVE

The character 人 depicts a person standing with legs spread wide apart for stability.

• 一(first; number one (pictographic))ASSOCIATIVE

A single horizontal stroke symbolizes the number one, the beginning of all things.

• ⺮(bamboo)RADICAL
• 寺(temple; pagoda)PHONO-SEMANTIC

Bamboo stalks stacked evenly in front of a temple suggest equality and waiting in order.