Meaning:

打头阵 (dǎ tóu zhèn) to do something first or to take the lead

Usage:

“打头阵”的本义是指打仗时做先锋在前面进攻。引申为第一个或带头去做事。

The original meaning of “打头阵” is to fight in the van. It metaphorically means to do something first or to take the lead.

Examples:

1. 一百米短跑决赛时，北京队打头阵的是李明。

    Yìbǎimǐ duǎnpǎo juésài shí, Běijīng duì dǎ tóu zhèn de shì Lǐ Míng

    Li Ming was the first to run in the final of 100-meter dash.

2. 郭德纲先生打头阵，今晚的相声肯定很精彩。

    Guō Dégāng xiānshēng dǎ tóu zhèn, jīnwǎn de xiàngshēng kěndìng hěn jīngcǎi.

    Guo Degang is the leading actor, so the cross-talk will be wonderful tonight.