"To meet with success at every turn" originally meant extensive knowledge and profound scholarship, inexhaustible and ever-renewing, like having sources on both left and right. It comes from Mencius, "Li Lou II": "With deep accumulation, one draws upon it and meets its source on every side." Later, the meaning evolved and is now mostly used to describe doing things with great ease and smoothness, being able to find solutions under any circumstances, or being tactful and considerate in social interactions, pleasing all sides. It is used in a wide range of contexts. It can be used approvingly to praise a person for strong ability, broad connections, and flexibility, or slightly disapprovingly to criticize someone for being too slick and all things to all people. Its emotional tone is neutral, depending on the context. Culturally, it reflects the Confucian emphasis on deep accumulation and also mirrors the importance Chinese society places on interpersonal harmony and adaptability.
📝 Example
1. After years of weathering the ups and downs of the business world, he has built an extensive network of contacts. When it comes to doing business, he can always work both sides to his advantage and there is hardly any project he cannot handle. (Describes doing things with great ease and smoothness in every way.)
2. The new manager is good at coordinating relationships among all parties. He manages to please both his superiors and his subordinates, and soon gains a firm foothold. (Describes being socially adept and able to win favor from all sides.)