give oneself away; reveal one's true colors; slip up
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
flaw; weak point; giveaway
A metaphorical term derived from the idea of the hooves of a costumed horse in traditional Chinese opera accidentally being revealed, exposing the person underneath. Used to describe a clue or mistake that reveals a hidden truth, deception, or true intentions.
Tā他
huǎng谎
huà话
shuō说
dé得
zài再
hǎo好
，
zuì最
zhōng终
yě也
lòu露
chū出
le了
mǎ马
jiǎo脚
。
No matter how well he lied, he eventually gave himself away.
Zhè这
ge个
jì计
huà划
kàn看
sì似
wán完
měi美
，
dàn但
qí其
shí实
yǒu有
ge个
zhì致
mìng命
de的
mǎ马
jiǎo脚
。
This plan seems perfect, but it actually has a fatal flaw.
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Jǐng警
fāng方
tōng通
guò过
yī一
ge个
xiǎo小
mǎ马
jiǎo脚
shí识
pò破
le了
zuì罪
fàn犯
de的
wěi伪
zhuāng装
。
The police saw through the criminal's disguise through a small slip-up.
Tā他
jǐn紧
zhāng张
dé得
shǒu手
jiǎo脚
fā发
dǒu抖
，
yī一
xià下
zi子
jiù就
lòu露
le了
mǎ马
jiǎo脚
。
He was so nervous his hands and feet were shaking, revealing his true colors immediately.