hoi1 ming4 geoi1 maa5開明車馬开明车马

Jyutpinghoi1 ming4 geoi1 maa5

Yalehōi mìhng gēui máh

Definition

To show one's intention or purpose openly; to be upfront and transparent about something.

colloquialcommunication

How it's used

Originating from Cantonese opera and traditional storytelling, this idiom describes a situation where someone drops all pretenses to reveal their true agenda. It carries a slightly dramatic flair, often used when someone stops playing games or being subtle about their desires. It is common to see it used with the verb 話 or 講 to introduce the specific intention being revealed.

Examples

keoi5佢hoi1開ming4明geoi1車maa5馬waa6話soeng2想zaang1爭go3個ging1經lei5理wai6位。

He made it clear that he wants to compete for the manager position.

nei5你sai2使m4唔sai2使gam3咁hoi1開ming4明geoi1車maa5馬aa4呀？

Do you really have to be so upfront about it?

Common phrases

hoi1開ming4明geoi1車maa5馬gong2講

to state one's intentions openly

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal description of a vehicle or a physical opening. It is strictly a metaphorical expression for transparency in intent and should not be used to describe opening a physical door or starting a car.