The truth or facts of a matter eventually come to light; the reality of a situation becomes clear after investigation or the passage of time.
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Ancient
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The idiom "水落石出" (shuǐ luò shí chū) originates from the Northern Song dynasty literary master Su Shi's "Later Ode to Red Cliff." Su Shi, also known as Su Dongpo, was a great writer and calligrapher from Meishan, Sichuan. He was known for his unrestrained personality and profound scholarship. During his exile in Huangzhou, he twice visited the Red Cliff outside the city, composing two timeless masterpieces: "Former Ode to Red Cliff" and "Later Ode to Red Cliff."
In his "Later Ode," he describes a beautiful autumn night in the tenth month, with a bright and clear moon. Su Shi and two friends were walking outside the city, enjoying the gentle autumn breeze. The serene moonlit night inspired them, and their camaraderie made them forget all worries. They sang, recited poetry, and conversed freely, experiencing immense joy.
Su Shi suddenly thought of wine and hurried home to ask his wife if there was any. His wife smiled and produced a jar of long-stored wine, saying it was for such impromptu needs. Overjoyed, Su Shi thanked her profusely, took the wine, and returned to his friends.
They went to the bank of the Yangtze River beneath Red Cliff, boarded a small boat, and began to drift. At that moment, the eastward-flowing river produced a murmuring sound, exceptionally clear in the quiet night. The steep banks rose a thousand feet, sharply cut like a knife. Tall mountain peaks stood firm, making the moon suspended between them appear small. As the river's water level dropped, the rocks submerged beneath the water gradually emerged.
The phrase "水落石出" from this account literally means "when the water subsides, the rocks emerge." Metaphorically, it signifies that after thorough investigation, debate, or the natural course of events, the complete truth of a matter will eventually be revealed.