图穷匕首见 — “When the map ends, the dagger appears”
图穷匕首见 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “the real intention or a hidden danger is revealed at the crucial moment, often after a period of deception or a facade of goodwill. It signifies the exposure of one's true motives or a critical element when all pretenses are stripped away”. Literally, “When the map ends, the dagger appears”.
图穷匕首见 Pronunciation and Pinyin
图穷匕首见 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 图穷匕首见
Origin and Story of 图穷匕首见
During the late Warring States period, Crown Prince Dan of Yan sought out Jing Ke and Qin Wuyang to assassinate King Ying Zheng of Qin.
He arranged for Jing Ke to present King Qin with the head of Fan Yuqi and a map of Yan. The King was very pleased.
As Jing Ke unrolled the map, a sharp dagger was revealed at its end. He immediately grabbed the dagger and attempted to stab King Qin. King Qin drew his sword to defend himself, and the guards seized the chance to rush forward and kill Jing Ke.
Idioms Related to 图穷匕首见
Synonyms of 图穷匕首见
More idioms starting with 图
- tú图wèi为bù不guǐ轨Plot to act unlawfully
- tú图zuò作bù不guǐ轨plot an unlawful act
- tú图wén文bìng并mào茂excellent pictures and accompanying text
- tú图wáng王bà霸yè业scheme for kingship and hegemony
- tú图qióng穷bǐ匕xiàn现reveal true intentions at the critical moment
- tú图móu谋bù不guǐ轨plot illicit activities
- tú图cái财hài害mìng命murder for money
- tú图cái财zhì致mìng命murder for money
- tú图shēn身wàng忘guó国seek personal gain, forget the nation
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Open the tool →Questions about 图穷匕首见
What does 图穷匕首见 mean?
图穷匕首见 (tú qióng bǐ shǒu xiàn) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “the real intention or a hidden danger is revealed at the crucial moment, often after a period of deception or a facade of goodwill. It signifies the exposure of one's true motives or a critical element when all pretenses are stripped away”.
How do you pronounce 图穷匕首见?
图穷匕首见 is pronounced tú qióng bǐ shǒu xiàn in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 图穷匕首见 literally mean?
Literally, 图穷匕首见 means “When the map ends, the dagger appears”. It is used to mean “the real intention or a hidden danger is revealed at the crucial moment, often after a period of deception or a facade of goodwill. It signifies the exposure of one's true motives or a critical element when all pretenses are stripped away”.
Where does 图穷匕首见 come from?
图穷匕首见 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 图穷匕首见?
图：地图；穷：尽；见：现。比喻事情发展到最后，真相或本意显露了出来。