dung1 coeng1 si6 faat3東窗事發东窗事发
Jyutpingdung1 coeng1 si6 faat3
Yaledūng chēung sih faat
Definition
To have one's dark secrets exposed or found out.
writtenother
How it's used
This idiom carries a heavy, serious tone, often implying that the secret being revealed is something shameful or illegal. It is typically used to describe the moment when a long-hidden wrongdoing is finally exposed to the public or the relevant authorities. Unlike simple phrases for being discovered, it emphasizes the inevitability of the truth surfacing after a period of concealment.
Examples
They were caught cheating, the secret is finally out.
You have done so many bad things, it will all come to light sooner or later.
Related words
Common phrases
sooner or later the secret will be out
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general term for being found out, but it is specifically reserved for negative secrets or misdeeds. It would sound unnatural to use this when someone simply discovers a surprise party or a small, harmless secret.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
