狐狸尾巴 (hú li wěi ba) — (figurative) telltale sign, giveaway, something that reveals one's hidden intention or true nature
Definition
Literally 'fox tail' but used figuratively for a telltale sign that reveals someone's hidden intentions. Compare with 露马脚 (exposing a flaw in a plan or scheme).
noun
(figurative) telltale signgiveawaysomething that reveals one's hidden intention or true nature
Examples
- ，狐狸尾巴。Tā zuǐ shàng shuō de hǎo tīng, kě zuì hòu hái shì lù chū le hú li wěi ba.He speaks nicely, but in the end he showed his true colors.
- ，狐狸尾巴。Piàn zi zhuāng dé zài xiàng, zǒng huì yǒu hú li wěi ba lù chū lái.No matter how well a swindler pretends, there will always be a giveaway.
- ，狐狸尾巴。Zhè ge jì huà kàn sì wán měi, dàn zǐ xì yí kàn jiù fā xiàn le hú li wěi ba.This plan seems perfect, but a closer look reveals a hidden flaw.
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