抛头露面
抛头露面 (pāo tóu lù miàn) literally means “expose head and face” and expresses “public exposure”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: pao tou lu mian, pao tou lu mian,抛头露面 meaning, 抛头露面 in english
Public exposure
Pronunciation: pāo tóu lù miàn Literal meaning: Expose head and face
Origin & Usage
Commonly used in classical Chinese literature, the idiom 抛头露面 (pāo tóu lù miàn) originally referred to women in feudal society who appeared in public against traditional norms. The phrase first appeared in the Ming dynasty novel 《封神演义》 (Fēngshén Yǎnyì), where it described the act of 'exposing one's head and face' (抛头, pāo tóu; 露面, lù miàn) in a negative context. Over time, its usage expanded to describe anyone appearing publicly, often with a negative connotation of being unseemly or improper. In modern contexts, it is used to criticize individuals who frequently expose themselves to public attention, especially in a manner deemed inappropriate or excessive.
Examples
English: "After years of working behind the scenes, she finally decided to step into the spotlight."
Chinese: 经过多年的幕后工作，她终于决定抛头露面。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 抛头露面 mean in English?
抛头露面 (pāo tóu lù miàn) literally translates to “Expose head and face” and is used to express “Public exposure”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 抛头露面 used?
Situation: After years of working behind the scenes, she finally decided to step into the spotlight.
What is the pinyin for 抛头露面?
The pinyin pronunciation for 抛头露面 is “pāo tóu lù miàn”.