📖 Meaning
To expose one's shameful or ugly deeds for all to see. It describes a situation where disgraceful conduct or shortcomings are made publicly known, bringing embarrassment to oneself or one's family.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from Act 3 of the Yuan dynasty play 'The Jade Mirror Stand' (玉镜台) by the renowned playwright Guan Hanqing. In the original passage, the characters arrange a scheme involving feigned caution and boldness, and the scene becomes one where ugliness and faults are laid bare. The idiom later appeared in Ming dynasty literature as well, notably in Jia Zhongming's 'Xiao Shulan', where concealing a matter is said to avoid the shame of publicly exposing one's family disgrace.
💡 Example Usage
这件事若传出去，岂不是出丑扬疾，让人笑话？
If this gets out, wouldn't it expose our shame for all to see and make us a laughingstock?
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 出丑扬疾
- Pinyin: chū chǒu yáng jí
- Literal Translation: expose, ugly, spread, fault
- Category: Action
- Characters: 4