reveal true form; show one's true colors
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to reveal one's true form; to show one's true colors; to unmask
derogatoryWhen used for people, it often carries a derogatory connotation (贬义). Can take the -r suffix (儿化) as 显形儿.
Yāo妖
guài怪
zhōng终
yú于
xiǎn显
xíng形
le了
。
The monster finally revealed its true form.
Zài在
zhèng证
jù据
miàn面
qián前
，
tā他
bù不
dé得
bù不
xiǎn显
xíng形
r儿
。
Faced with the evidence, he had to show his true colors.
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Zhè这
gè个
piàn骗
zi子
zài在
jǐng警
chá察
miàn面
qián前
xiǎn显
le了
xíng形
。
The scammer was exposed in front of the police.
Yuán原
xíng形
bì毕
lù露
，
zài再
yě也
wú无
fǎ法
yǐn隐
cáng藏
。
His true colors were completely revealed, and he could no longer hide.