Meaning:
“全靠” means “totally depend on”; “同行” means “peers, people of the same trade or occupation”; and “衬托” means” set off.” This saying was first spoken by Chinese cross-talk comedian Guo Degang, who once said, “No, I’m excellent. It’s all set off by my peers.” This sentence contains a meaning of humility, but it is more an expression of Guo’s inner self-confidence and pride. For Chinese netizens, if something “depends on peers,” it means it is very bad, but there is nothing better in the industry, leaving them with no choice.
Example:
A: 最近大火的那部剧，我昨天看了。实在是看不下去，剧情和演技都很差。
Zuìjìn dàhuǒ de nàbù jù，wǒ zuótiān kànle。 Shízàishì kàn bù xiàqù, jùqíng hé yǎnjì dōu hěnchā。
Yesterday I watched that recent drama that was a big hit. Actually, I really couldn’t watch it; the plot and acting are very poor.
B: 我也觉得那部剧很烂。但没办法，全靠同行衬托。
Wǒ yě juéde nàbù jù hěnlàn。Dàn méi bànfǎ, quánkào tóngháng chèntuō。
I also think that drama sucks. But it can’t be helped; it’s all set off by peers.