a plot is exposed; the crime comes to light
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
for a plot to be exposed; for a crime to be discovered; to be found out
formalThis idiom originates from a legend about a plot hatched by a Song Dynasty official. It is used when a secret plan or wrongdoing is unexpectedly revealed to the public, often causing the downfall of the schemers. It carries a strong negative connotation.
Tā他
men们
qīn侵
tūn吞
gōng公
kuǎn款
de的
yīn阴
móu谋
zhōng终
yú于
dōng东
chuāng窗
shì事
fā发
le了
。
Their plot to embezzle public funds was finally exposed.
Zhè这
jiā家
gōng公
sī司
cái财
wù务
zào造
jiǎ假
，
xiàn现
zài在
yǐ已
jīng经
dōng东
chuāng窗
shì事
fā发
，
fù负
zé责
rén人
bèi被
dài逮
bǔ捕
le了
。
The company's accounting fraud has now been discovered, and those responsible have been arrested.
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Tā他
yǐ以
wéi为
zì自
jǐ己
néng能
mán瞒
tiān天
guò过
hǎi海
，
jié结
guǒ果
hái还
shì是
dōng东
chuāng窗
shì事
fā发
，
luò落
dé得
shēn身
bài败
míng名
liè裂
。
He thought he could get away with it, but in the end, he was found out and completely disgraced.