📖 Meaning
The truth finally comes to light after a period of uncertainty. It describes a situation where hidden facts are revealed, just as stones at the bottom of a river become visible when the water level drops.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from a poem by the Northern Song dynasty poet Ouyang Xiu (欧阳修), titled '醉翁亭记' (The Pavilion of the Drunken Old Man), written circa 1046 AD. In the poem, Ouyang Xiu describes the seasonal scenery around Mount Langya, writing that when the water recedes in autumn and winter, the rocks beneath are exposed. Later scholars extended the imagery metaphorically to mean the revelation of truth or facts that were previously obscured.
💡 Example Usage
经过长时间的调查，案件的真相终于水落石出了。
After a long investigation, the truth of the case finally came to light.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 水落石出
- Pinyin: shuǐ luò shí chū
- Literal Translation: water falls, stone appears
- Category: Clarity
- Characters: 4