What is the meaning and origin of 高人一等?
First of all, 高 doesn't only mean high or tall. 高 also figuratively means good, smart, superior and so on. E.g. 高招 (smart move), 高人 (a person who has very good idea).
so, 高人一等，literally means 比别人高一个等级，which figuratively means better than/superior to other people.
It can be used both positive and negative ways. When you describe quality, strategy, and so on, it is usually positive. Positive usage examples:
我们部队的战略高人一等。
他们公司的产品质量高人一等。

When used directly on a person, it is usually negative. If you say a person considering himself as &quot;高人一等&quot;， you don't like him because you think he is arrogant and always see below others. Please note that, the general idea is that you should NOT 高人一等, so if you say &quot;我觉得他高人一等&quot;，that is not a praise, that is the same as &quot;I feel he is arrogant and not friendly&quot;.
Negative usage examples:
那个人目中无人，总是觉得自己高人一等。
大家都是普通人，没有谁高人一等。