前茅

qiánmáo
  1. forward patrol (military) (old)
  2. (fig.) the top ranks

CEDICT

old

Entry Composition

1 前 qián
  1. front
  2. forward
  3. ahead
  4. first
  5. top (followed by a number)
  6. future
  7. ago
  8. before
  9. BC (e.g. 前293年)
  10. former
  11. formerly
2 茅 máo
  1. reeds
  2. rushes