describe vividly; expose all ugliness
Meanings
2 senses · 7 examplesidiom
to portray or describe with meticulous detail and vividness (originally a literary term)
literaryOriginally used in literary criticism to praise detailed and lifelike description of characters or scenes.
Lu Xun's portrayal of Ah Q is meticulous and vivid.
This painting depicts the characters' expressions with great detail.
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The novel describes the various faces of urban life with vivid detail.
idiom
to expose all one's ugly features or true (unpleasant) nature; to reveal one's true colors
derogatoryModern derogatory usage describing someone showing their true, usually unpleasant nature when under pressure or tempted by gain.
Faced with the temptation of profit, he finally showed his true colors, revealing his greedy nature.
This argument made everyone present show their true ugly nature.
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Once money is involved, these people reveal their true colors.
That hypocrite finally showed his true nature at the critical moment.