图穷匕现 — “When the map ends, the dagger appears”
图穷匕现 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to reveal one's true intentions or a hidden danger at the critical moment, often after a deceptive prelude”. Literally, “When the map ends, the dagger appears”.
图穷匕现 Pronunciation and Pinyin
图穷匕现 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 图穷匕现
Origin and Story of 图穷匕现
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 had Jing Ke and his associate present the head of Fan Yuqi and a map of Yan to the King of Qin, who was greatly pleased.
As Jing Ke unrolled the map of Yan, a sharp dagger was revealed. Jing Ke immediately seized the dagger and attempted to assassinate the King of Qin. The King drew his sword to resist, and the guards seized the opportunity to rush forward and kill Jing Ke.
Idioms Related to 图穷匕现
Synonyms of 图穷匕现
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shǒu首xiàn见true motive revealed at the end
- 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 图穷匕现
What does 图穷匕现 mean?
图穷匕现 (tú qióng bǐ xiàn) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to reveal one's true intentions or a hidden danger at the critical moment, often after a deceptive prelude”.
How do you pronounce 图穷匕现?
图穷匕现 is pronounced tú qióng bǐ xiàn in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 图穷匕现 literally mean?
Literally, 图穷匕现 means “When the map ends, the dagger appears”. It is used to mean “to reveal one's true intentions or a hidden danger at the critical moment, often after a deceptive prelude”.
Where does 图穷匕现 come from?
图穷匕现 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to modern Chinese. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 图穷匕现?
图：地图；穷：尽；匕：匕首；现：显露出来。比喻事情发展到最后露出了真相或本来面目