lou6 ceot1 maa5 goek3露出馬腳露出马脚

Jyutpinglou6 ceot1 maa5 goek3

Yalelouh chēut máh geuk

動詞

Definition

To let the cat out of the bag, reveal a flaw or weakness, or expose a secret or the truth.

colloquialpeoplecommunication

How it's used

This idiom is used to describe the moment when a person's facade or a carefully constructed lie falls apart. It carries a sense of inevitability, implying that the truth is inherently difficult to suppress for long. While it can apply to serious deception, it is also frequently used in casual settings to describe someone failing to maintain a bluff or a disguise.

Examples

keoi5佢gong2講daai6大waa6話gong2講dak1得gam3咁do1多，ci4遲zou2早wui2會lou6露ceot1出maa5馬goek3腳㗎。

He tells so many lies, he will show his true colors sooner or later.

nei5你gam3咁joeng6樣baan6扮je5嘢，hou2好faai3快zau6就wui2會lou6露ceot1出maa5馬goek3腳laa1啦。

If you keep pretending like that, you will reveal your true self very soon.

Common phrases

ci4遲zou2早lou6露ceot1出maa5馬goek3腳

to show one's true colors sooner or later

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with simply making a mistake or failing at a task. It specifically refers to the accidental revelation of a hidden truth or a secret, not just a general error or poor performance.