东窗事发
东窗事发 (dōng chuāng shì fā) literally means “east window plot exposed” and expresses “plot revealed”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: dong chuang shi fa, dong chuang shi fa,东窗事发 meaning, 东窗事发 in english
Plot revealed
Pronunciation: dōng chuāng shì fā Literal meaning: East window plot exposed
Origin & Usage
The idiom 东窗事发 (dōng chuāng shì fā) originates from a tale about the infamous Southern Song dynasty official Qin Hui (秦桧). Known for his treachery, Qin Hui plotted under the east window (东窗) with his wife to frame the loyal general Yue Fei (岳飞) for treason, leading to Yue Fei's unjust execution. After Qin Hui's death, a Taoist priest claimed to have seen Qin Hui suffering in the underworld, saying, 'Tell my wife, the east window plot has been exposed.' The characters 东 (east), 窗 (window), 事 (matter), and 发 (expose) vividly depict the exposure of a hidden scheme. In modern usage, this idiom describes the revelation of a secret plot or wrongdoing, reminding us that deceitful actions will eventually come to light.
Examples
English: "The secret plans were exposed due to careless mistakes."
Chinese: 秘密计划因粗心大意而暴露。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
一波三折
yī bō sān zhé
Many twists and turns
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改邪归正
gǎi xié guī zhèng
Return to righteousness
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好逸恶劳
hào yì wù láo
Love ease, hate work
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物极必反
wù jí bì fǎn
Extremes lead to reversal
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塞翁失马
sài wēng shī mǎ
Misfortune might be a blessing
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近水楼台
jìn shuǐ lóu tái
Advantage from close connections
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夜郎自大
yè láng zì dà
Overestimate oneself
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因果报应
yīn guǒ bào yìng
Actions have consequences
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 东窗事发 mean in English?
东窗事发 (dōng chuāng shì fā) literally translates to “East window plot exposed” and is used to express “Plot revealed”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 东窗事发 used?
Situation: The secret plans were exposed due to careless mistakes.
What is the pinyin for 东窗事发?
The pinyin pronunciation for 东窗事发 is “dōng chuāng shì fā”.