rise above
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rise above
1. To achieve superiority over someone or something. The star pupil rose far above the rest of the students in his class. There are points where the film rises above simple cinema and transcends into art.
2. To act more maturely than someone; to disregard or refuse to engage in petty or unimportant actions or behavior. Listen, I know they get on your nerves, but you've got to rise above such belittling comments. I'm still trying to rise above my tendency to get angry at other drivers.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
rise above something
1. Lit. to move up above something. The huge sun rose above the horizon and spread its red glow across the sea.
2. Fig. [for one] to ignore petty matters and do what one is meant to do in spite of them. He was able to rise above the squabbling and bring some sense to the proceedings. Jane was never able to rise above her petty dislikes.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
rise above
v.
1. To move upward above something: The balloon rose above the trees.
2. To extend upward; be prominent over something: The tower rises above the hill.
3. To be superior to something or someone: Her performance rises above that of her peers.
4. To adopt a better attitude in order to avoid being burdened or concerned with something: He rose above the silly arguing among his classmates and thought of his own ideas.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.