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 be exposed
Typically used when someone's hidden negative traits, deception, or corruption is revealed. Often appears in contexts exposing hypocrisy, fraud, or official corruption.
Nà那
gè个
piàn骗
zi子
zài在
zhèng证
jù据
miàn面
qián前
zhōng终
yú于
xiàn现
xíng形
le了
。
The scammer finally showed his true colors in the face of evidence.
Tān贪
guān官
wū污
lì吏
zài在
diào调
chá查
xià下
fēn纷
fēn纷
xiàn现
xíng形
。
Corrupt officials were exposed one after another under investigation.
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《
Guān官
chǎng场
xiàn现
xíng形
jì记
》
shì是
wǎn晚
Qīng清
zhù著
míng名
de的
qiǎn谴
zé责
xiǎo小
shuō说
。
The Bureaucrats Exposed is a famous late Qing dynasty novel of social criticism.
Tā他
de的
huǎng谎
yán言
bèi被
jiē揭
chuān穿
hòu后
，
wěi伪
jūn君
zǐ子
de的
miàn面
mù目
chè彻
dǐ底
xiàn现
xíng形
。
After his lies were exposed, the hypocrite's true face was completely revealed.