水落石出

Pronunciation: shuǐ luò shí chū Literal meaning: Water recedes, stones appear

Origin & Usage

The idiom 水落石出 (shuǐ luò shí chū) is commonly used in classical Chinese literature to convey the idea that the truth will eventually be revealed. The literal imagery is of water (水, shuǐ) receding (落, luò) to expose (出, chū) the stones (石, shí) beneath. This vivid image illustrates how hidden truths or realities become apparent over time as circumstances change. In modern usage, the idiom is often employed to suggest that with patience and the passage of time, the underlying truth of a situation will come to light, much like stones emerging from beneath the water.

Examples

English: "After the scandal, the truth finally came to light, revealing the real issues at hand."

Chinese: 在丑闻之后，真相终于浮出水面，揭示了真正的问题。