Chinese word

水落石出

Pronunciation

Pinyinshuǐ luò shí chū

Meaning

  • idiomthe truth comes to light

Example

别急，水落石出。bié jí shuǐ luò shí chū

Don't worry, the truth will come to light.

Illustration for 水落石出 (the truth comes to light)

More examples

经过努力，事实终于水落石出。jīng guò nǔ lì shì shí zhōng yú shuǐ luò shí chū

After much effort, the truth finally came to light.

Core concept

Nature gradually uncovers a hidden thing as changing conditions remove its cover.

Common phrases

  • 终于水落石出zhōng yú shuǐ luò shí chū

    finally the truth comes to light

  • 总算水落石出zǒng suàn shuǐ luò shí chū

    at last the truth comes to light

Similar words

真相大白zhēn xiàng dà bái: Describes the facts behind an event or problem becoming fully known.
露出马脚lù chū má jiǎo: Describes a flaw in a lie or scheme showing itself and giving it away.
原形毕露yuán xíng bì lù: Describes someone's concealed nature or something's true form being revealed.

Definition in Chinese

水落石出指水退后露出石头，比喻事情的真相或隐藏的情况最终显露出来。shuǐ luò shí chū zhǐ shuǐ tuì hòu lù chū shí tou bǐ yù shì qíng de zhēn xiàng huò yǐn cáng de qíng kuàng zuì zhōng xiǎn lù chū lái

Word origin

The idiom joins 水 (shuǐ, "water") and 落 (luò, "fall") with 石 (shí, "stone") and 出 (chū, "emerge"), turning a scene of receding water into a picture of a secret revealed.

Usage tips

  • The phrase usually presents clarity as the result of time, evidence, or discussion, so it suits an unfolding situation rather than a fact that has always been obvious.

Opposites

  • 扑朔迷离pū shuò mí líthe truth remains unclearidiom

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