📖 Meaning
One's true form or original nature is exposed. It describes a situation where a disguise or deception is uncovered, revealing what someone truly is. Often used when a fraud or impostor's real identity comes to light.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from Tang Haoming's historical novel 'Zeng Guofan' (曾国藩), Part 1, Chapter 9. In the story, a scar-faced man first tried to pass through a tax checkpoint by pretending to be an honest, timid small merchant. When his true identity was exposed, he realized that pleading would be useless and resorted to paying a large bribe to get through. The phrase has since been used to describe the unmasking of one's disguised true nature.
💡 Example Usage
那个骗子在警察的盘问下原形败露，不得不交代了全部罪行。
The scammer's true nature was exposed under police questioning, and he had to confess to all his crimes.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 原形败露
- Pinyin: yuán xíng bài lù
- Literal Translation: original, form, exposed, revealed
- Category: Clarity
- Characters: 4