conceal one's talents; bide one's time; keep a low profile
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to conceal one's talents and abilities; to keep a low profile; to bide one's time
literaryA four-character idiom (成语) with a positive or neutral connotation, often used in political, military, or career contexts to describe a strategy of hiding one's capabilities until the right moment.
Tā他
xiàn现
zài在
tāo韬
guāng光
yǎng养
huì晦
，
děng等
dài待
shí时
jī机
chéng成
shú熟
。
He is now keeping a low profile, waiting for the right time to mature.
Zài在
zhè这
gè个
fù复
zá杂
de的
zhèng政
zhì治
huán环
jìng境
zhōng中
，
xué学
huì会
tāo韬
guāng光
yǎng养
huì晦
hěn很
zhòng重
yào要
。
In this complex political environment, learning to conceal one's talents is very important.
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Tā他
nián年
qīng轻
shí时
fēng锋
máng芒
bì毕
lù露
，
zhōng中
nián年
hòu后
kāi开
shǐ始
tāo韬
guāng光
yǎng养
huì晦
。
He was very sharp and showy when young, but began to keep a low profile in middle age.