📖 Meaning
This idiom describes someone who speaks with complete frankness and directness, concealing nothing. The moment they open their mouth, their true inner character is as plainly visible as the gallbladder within the body. It is synonymous with the idiom '开口见心' (to speak with an open heart).
📜 Origin Story
The idiom '开口见胆' conveys the idea of speaking with absolute sincerity and transparency, leaving nothing hidden. It is closely related to the similar expression '开口见心,' both using the metaphor that when a person begins to speak, their innermost thoughts are fully exposed. In traditional Chinese medicine and culture, the gallbladder (胆) was associated with courage and one's true nature, so 'seeing the gallbladder' symbolizes perceiving a person's genuine character. No single definitive historical anecdote is tied to its origin; it emerged as a figurative expression of forthright honesty in speech.
💡 Example Usage
他这个人开口见胆，从不隐瞒自己的真实想法。
He is the kind of person who speaks with complete frankness and never conceals his true thoughts.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 开口见胆
- Pinyin: kāi kǒu jiàn dǎn
- Literal Translation: open, mouth, see, gallbladder
- Category: Communication
- Characters: 4