Definition
蒙在鼓里 is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'to be kept in the dark' or 'to be completely unaware of something that is happening.' The literal image is of being covered inside a drum, unable to hear or see what's outside. You use it when someone is deliberately not told the truth or is oblivious to a situation that others know about. It functions as a verb phrase and is often used with 被 or in a context where someone is deceived.
v
to be kept in the darkto be completely unaware of what is really happening
Examples
- ，蒙在鼓里。Dàjiā dōu zhīdào le zhè jiàn shì, zhǐyǒu tā hái méng zài gǔ lǐ.Everyone already knows about this, only he is still kept in the dark.
- 蒙在鼓里，。Tā bèi tóngshìmen méng zài gǔ lǐ, wánquán bù zhīdào gōngsī yào cáiyuán.He was kept in the dark by his colleagues, completely unaware that the company was going to lay off staff.
- 蒙在鼓里，。Bié bǎ wǒ méng zài gǔ lǐ le, yǒu shénme shìqíng zhíjiē gàosu wǒ.Don't keep me in the dark; tell me directly if there's anything.
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