hide one's talents; lie low; bide one's time
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to hide one's talents and lie low; to conceal one's light and bide one's time
literaryA shortened form of the idiom 韬光养晦. Often used in the fixed phrase 韬晦之计 (the strategy of concealment). Carries a literary or formal register.
Zài在
luàn乱
shì世
zhōng中
，
zhì智
zhě者
wǎng往
wǎng往
xuǎn选
zé择
tāo韬
huì晦
zhī之
jì计
。
In turbulent times, wise men often choose the strategy of concealing their abilities.
Tā他
shàn善
yú于
tāo韬
huì晦
，
bù不
qīng轻
yì易
xiǎn显
lù露
zì自
jǐ己
de的
cái才
huá华
。
He is good at keeping a low profile and does not easily reveal his talents.
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Tā他
tāo韬
huì晦
duō多
nián年
，
zhōng终
yú于
děng等
dào到
le了
chū出
shān山
de的
jī机
huì会
。
He kept a low profile for many years and finally waited for the opportunity to emerge.