📖 Meaning
Literally 'to widen the eyes and bare one's courage,' it originally meant to act with boldness and conviction. In modern usage, it describes someone openly and brazenly doing something bad or improper without any attempt to hide it.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the 'Biography of Wang Dun' in the Book of Jin (晋书·王敦传). During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the powerful general Wang Dun resolved to lead the imperial six armies and declared he would act with clear eyes and bold courage, preferring to die as a loyal subject rather than live as a knave. Over time, this originally positive description of fearless integrity shifted in meaning to refer to openly and shamelessly committing misdeeds.
💡 Example Usage
他在光天化日之下明目张胆地偷走了顾客的钱包。
In broad daylight, he brazenly stole a customer's wallet without the slightest attempt to hide.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 明目张胆
- Pinyin: míng mù zhāng dǎn
- Literal Translation: brighten eyes, open gallbladder
- Category: Action
- Characters: 4