藏头露尾 Hide the head, show the tail
Explanation
形容说话躲躲闪闪,不把真实情况全部讲出来。
Describes someone who speaks evasively and doesn't tell the whole truth.
Origin Story
从前,有个秀才去参加科举考试。他自认为才华横溢,但又怕主考官不欣赏他的才华,于是便写了一篇藏头露尾的文章。文章表面上写的是山水田园风光,暗地里却藏着对朝廷的讽刺。他把文章呈给主考官后,惴惴不安地等待结果。主考官看完文章后,哈哈大笑,说:‘这篇文章虽然文采不错,但藏头露尾,闪烁其词,无法看出你的真实才能。’秀才羞愧难当,从此再也不敢藏头露尾了。
Once upon a time, a scholar went to take the imperial examination. He thought himself very talented but was afraid that the examiner wouldn't appreciate his talent. So he wrote an essay that was vague and indirect. The essay was ostensibly about the scenery of mountains and rivers, but secretly contained satire of the court. After submitting the essay, he waited anxiously for the result. The examiner read the essay, laughed heartily, and said, 'This essay is well-written, but it is ambiguous and evasive; one cannot see your true abilities.' The scholar was ashamed and embarrassed, and he never again dared to be vague and indirect.
Usage
用于形容说话或做事不坦率,躲躲闪闪。
Used to describe speaking or acting dishonestly and evasively.
Examples
-
他说话总是藏头露尾,让人难以捉摸他的真实意图。
ta shuō huà zǒng shì cáng tóu lù wěi, ràng rén nán yǐ zhuō mō tā de zhēn shí yìtú
He always speaks vaguely, making it difficult to grasp his true intentions.
-
这件事的真相,他只字未提,只是藏头露尾地暗示了几句。
zhè jiàn shì de zhēn xiàng, tā zǐ zì wèi tí, zhǐshì cáng tóu lù wěi de ànshì le jǐ jù
He didn't say a word about the truth of the matter, but only hinted at it vaguely..