reveal one's shortcomings; betray incompetence
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to reveal one's shortcomings or weaknesses; to expose one's inadequacy
formalUsed when someone unintentionally or unavoidably shows a lack of skill, knowledge, or preparation.
Tā他
zài在
biàn辩
lùn论
zhōng中
zhǔn准
bèi备
bù不
zú足
，
hěn很
kuài快
jiù就
lòu露
zhuō拙
le了
。
He was poorly prepared for the debate and quickly revealed his inadequacy.
Tā她
běn本
xiǎng想
xuàn炫
yào耀
chú厨
yì艺
，
jié结
guǒ果
fǎn反
ér而
lòu露
zhuō拙
le了
。
She meant to show off her cooking skills, but instead, she revealed her shortcomings.
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Chū初
xué学
zhě者
fā发
yán言
shí时
yào要
xiǎo小
xīn心
，
yǐ以
miǎn免
dāng当
chǎng场
lòu露
zhuō拙
。
Beginners should be careful when speaking to avoid betraying their incompetence on the spot.
Cáng藏
qiǎo巧
lòu露
zhuō拙
，
hòu后
fā发
zhì制
rén人
shì是
yī一
zhǒng种
cè策
lüè略
。
Concealing one's cleverness and revealing one's clumsiness to strike later is a kind of strategy.