xiān​nán​hòu​huò

toil first and then enjoy the fruits

Senses

先难后获/ 先難後獲 xiān​nán​hòu​huò toil first and then enjoy the fruits

to prioritize the difficult work and leave the rewards for later; to understand that success requires initial hard effort

References

synonym 先难后获/先難後獲 先事后得/先事後得