lùchūmǎjiǎo: 露出马脚 - To Give the Game Away, Let the Cat Out of the Bag

• Keywords: 露出马脚, luchumajiao, reveal a flaw, give the game away, let the cat out of the bag, show one's true colors, expose a lie, Chinese idiom, slip-up, clumsy mistake, revealing a trick.
• Summary: The Chinese idiom 露出马脚 (lù chū mǎ jiǎo) literally means “to reveal the horse's hooves.” It's the perfect phrase for when someone accidentally exposes a flaw, a lie, or their true intentions, much like “letting the cat out of the bag” or “giving the game away” in English. This expression vividly captures the moment a deception falls apart due to a careless mistake, revealing a truth that was meant to stay hidden. This page explores its cultural origins, modern usage, and provides numerous examples to help you master this essential Chinese chengyu.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): lù chū mǎ jiǎo
• Part of Speech: Idiom (成语, chéngyǔ); verb phrase
• HSK Level: N/A (Commonly used Chengyu beyond standard HSK lists)
• Concise Definition: To accidentally reveal a flaw or secret that was meant to be concealed.
• In a Nutshell: This idiom paints a picture of someone in a disguise—for example, an actor in an animal costume. If they move clumsily, their human feet might show from under the costume, ruining the illusion. In the same way, when someone is lying or hiding something, a small slip-up (the “horse's hooves”) can expose the entire deception. It always implies an unintentional mistake on the part of the deceiver.

• 露 (lù): To reveal, to show, to expose.
• 出 (chū): To come out, to emerge.
• 马 (mǎ): Horse.
• 脚 (jiǎo): Foot, leg, hoof.

The first two characters, 露出 (lùchū), form a common compound verb meaning “to expose” or “to reveal.” The last two, 马脚 (mǎjiǎo), mean “horse's hooves.” Combined, the phrase literally translates to “to reveal the horse's hooves.” The meaning comes from ancient performances where actors might dress in a lion or dragon costume. If their performance was sloppy, their own legs—the “horse's legs”—would show from underneath, shattering the illusion for the audience.

The origin story of 露出马脚 in theatrical performance is key to its meaning. It highlights a cultural appreciation for skill, subtlety, and maintaining appearances. The failure to do so—the clumsy mistake that exposes the truth—is a source of embarrassment and a loss of face (面子, miànzi). A close Western equivalent is “to let the cat out of the bag,” which also refers to revealing a secret. However, 露出马脚 carries a stronger connotation of the revealer's own incompetence or carelessness. While a secret can be let out by a third party (“He let the cat out of the bag”), 露出马脚 is almost always about the person perpetuating the deception making a mistake themselves. It focuses more on the *flaw in the execution of the deception*. It’s less about the secret itself and more about the failure to keep it hidden properly. For example, a liar who tells a story with conflicting details has 露出马脚.

This idiom is widely used in both formal and informal contexts, from casual conversations to news reports and business negotiations.

• In Daily Conversation: People use it to talk about someone who told a small lie and got caught. For example, a child pretending to be sick who is later seen playing happily has 露出马脚.
• In Business or Politics: It can describe a negotiator who accidentally reveals their bottom line, a company trying to cover up a product defect, or a politician whose contradictory statements expose their real agenda.
• In Media and Literature: It's a staple in crime and mystery stories. The detective often looks for the moment the suspect will inevitably 露出马脚, leaving behind a crucial clue or making a slip of the tongue during an interrogation.

The connotation is consistently negative for the person who exposes themselves. It implies a failed attempt at being clever, resulting in embarrassment or failure.

• Example 1:
  • 他说他昨天在家看书，但是他朋友说在酒吧见到了他，这下他露出马脚了。
  • Pinyin: Tā shuō tā zuótiān zài jiā kànshū, dànshì tā péngyǒu shuō zài jiǔbā jiàn dàole tā, zhèxià tā lùchū mǎjiǎo le.
  • English: He said he was at home reading yesterday, but his friend said they saw him at the bar. Now he's given the game away.
  • Analysis: A classic example of a lie being exposed by a contradiction. The “horse's hooves” are the conflicting stories.
• Example 2:
  • 骗子在电话里说得天花乱坠，可是一问到公司地址，他就支支吾吾，很快就露出马脚了。
  • Pinyin: Piànzi zài diànhuà lǐ shuō dé tiānhuāluànzhuì, kěshì yī wèn dào gōngsī dìzhǐ, tā jiù zhīzhīwúwú, hěn kuài jiù lùchū mǎjiǎo le.
  • English: The scammer on the phone was making extravagant promises, but as soon as he was asked for the company address, he started stammering and quickly showed his true colors.
  • Analysis: The inability to answer a simple, factual question is the mistake that exposes the entire scam.
• Example 3:
  • 这位所谓的“专家”在演讲中犯了一个常识性错误，一下子就露出马脚了。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi suǒwèi de “zhuānjiā” zài yǎnjiǎng zhōng fànle yīgè chángshí xìng cuòwù, yīxiàzi jiù lùchū mǎjiǎo le.
  • English: This so-called “expert” made a common-sense mistake during his speech, instantly revealing his incompetence.
  • Analysis: Here, the idiom refers to exposing a lack of knowledge or expertise, rather than a lie. The “disguise” was his expert status.
• Example 4:
  • 别担心，他再狡猾，也总有一天会露出马脚的。
  • Pinyin: Bié dānxīn, tā zài jiǎohuá, yě zǒngyǒu yītiān huì lùchū mǎjiǎo de.
  • English: Don't worry, no matter how cunning he is, he will eventually slip up.
  • Analysis: This sentence expresses confidence that a deceptive person will make a mistake sooner or later. It's a very common way to use the phrase.
• Example 5:
  • 尽管他努力保持镇定，但他颤抖的双手还是露出马脚。
  • Pinyin: Jǐnguǎn tā nǔlì bǎochí zhèndìng, dàn tā chàndǒu de shuāng shǒu háishì lùchūle mǎjiǎo.
  • English: Although he tried hard to remain calm, his trembling hands gave him away.
  • Analysis: This shows how involuntary physical actions can serve as the “horse's hooves,” revealing someone's true emotional state (in this case, nervousness).
• Example 6:
  • 嫌疑犯的证词前后矛盾，终于露出马脚，被警察抓住了破绽。
  • Pinyin: Xiányífàn de zhèngcí qiánhòu máodùn, zhōngyú lùchū mǎjiǎo, bèi jǐngchá zhuāzhùle pòzhàn.
  • English: The suspect's testimony was contradictory, and he finally slipped up, allowing the police to find a flaw in his story.
  • Analysis: A perfect example from a crime context. The contradiction is the flaw (破绽) that was revealed.
• Example 7:
  • 这家公司声称产品是环保的，但被发现偷偷排放污水，一下子就露出马脚了。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī shēngchēng chǎnpǐn shì huánbǎo de, dàn bèi fāxiàn tōutōu páifàng wūshuǐ, yīxiàzi jiù lùchū mǎjiǎo le.
  • English: This company claimed its products were environmentally friendly, but it was discovered secretly discharging sewage, which immediately exposed their deception.
  • Analysis: The action of discharging sewage directly contradicts the company's public image, thus revealing the “truth” behind the “disguise.”
• Example 8:
  • 他假装自己是富翁，直到他付不起一顿昂贵的晚餐时才露出马脚。
  • Pinyin: Tā jiǎzhuāng zìjǐ shì fùwēng, zhídào tā fù bù qǐ yī dùn ángguì de wǎncān shí cái lùchū mǎjiǎo.
  • English: He pretended to be a rich man, but he gave himself away when he couldn't afford an expensive dinner.
  • Analysis: The inability to perform an action consistent with one's disguise is a classic way to 露出马脚.
• Example 9:
  • 如果你说谎，就必须记住所有细节，否则很容易露出马脚。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ shuōhuǎng, jiù bìxū jìzhù suǒyǒu xìjié, fǒuzé hěn róngyì lùchū mǎjiǎo.
  • English: If you tell a lie, you must remember all the details, otherwise it's very easy to slip up.
  • Analysis: This sentence functions as a piece of advice, highlighting the inherent difficulty of maintaining a lie.
• Example 10:
  • 在谈判中，他无意中透露了公司的底线，这一个失误让他彻底露出马脚。
  • Pinyin: Zài tánpàn zhōng, tā wúyìzhōng tòulùle gōngsī de dǐxiàn, zhè yīgè shīwù ràng tā chèdǐ lùchū mǎjiǎo.
  • English: During the negotiation, he unintentionally revealed the company's bottom line; this one mistake completely gave his position away.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates usage in a formal, high-stakes business context. The “slip-up” had serious consequences.

• Accidental vs. Intentional: The most common mistake is to use 露出马脚 for a deliberate act. This idiom exclusively describes an *accidental* or *careless* reveal. If someone reveals a flaw on purpose as part of a strategy, you would use a different phrase.
  • Incorrect: 他故意露出马脚，引诱敌人进入陷阱。 (He intentionally revealed his weakness to lure the enemy into a trap.)
  • Correct: 他故意露出一个破绽，引诱敌人进入陷阱。 (He intentionally revealed a flaw/opening to lure the enemy into a trap.)
• False Friend: “Show one's hand”: In English, “to show one's hand” (like in poker) can sometimes be a deliberate strategic move. 露出马脚 is never a strategic move. It is always a mistake and is always disadvantageous to the person doing it. It's closer to “tipping your hand” by accident.

• 露馅 (lòuxiàn) - Literally “the filling is leaking out (of a dumpling).” A more colloquial synonym for 露出马脚, it also means to have a secret exposed.
• 破绽 (pòzhàn) - A flaw, a weak point, a hole (in a story or plan). This is often what gets revealed when someone 露出马脚.
• 穿帮 (chuānbāng) - Used for film, TV, or plays. It refers to a blooper or continuity error, like a modern car appearing in a historical drama. The concept of “shattering the illusion” is very similar.
• 不打自招 (bù dǎ zì zhāo) - To confess without being coerced; to give oneself away. This is a close synonym that emphasizes the self-incriminating nature of the slip-up.
• 欲盖弥彰 (yù gài mí zhāng) - The more one tries to hide something, the more conspicuous it becomes. This describes the process or situation that often leads to eventually 露出马脚.
• 图穷匕见 (tú qióng bǐ xiàn) - “When the map is unrolled, the dagger is revealed.” This describes the moment a hidden, hostile intention is finally revealed, usually at the climax of a plan. It's more dramatic and often more intentional than 露出马脚.
• 真相大白 (zhēnxiàng dàbái) - “The truth comes to light.” This is the result or the state of affairs after someone has 露出马脚 and the secret is out for everyone to see.