水落石出

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: shuǐ luò shí chū
• English Translation: When the water recedes, the rocks emerge; the truth becomes clear and facts are revealed.
• Idiom Composition: 「水」（Water）＋「落」（To fall, to drop）＋「石」（Stone, rock）＋「出」（To appear, to emerge）
• Meaning: When the water level drops, stones that were hidden beneath the surface become visible. Figuratively, it means that long-hidden truths or facts finally come to light.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「水落石出」 contains the following nuances:

• Revelation of the truth: Expresses that truths or facts that have been hidden or obscured for a long time are ultimately revealed.
• Passage of time: Implies that revealing the truth requires a certain amount of time, investigation, and effort.
• Inevitability: Suggests the inevitability that the truth will eventually be uncovered.
• Clarity: Means that once the truth is revealed, it becomes clear beyond any doubt.

3. Usage

「水落石出」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Resolving cases or issues: Used when the truth is finally revealed in situations requiring investigation, such as criminal cases or problem-solving.
  • Example:「经过警方的深入调查，这起案件终于水落石出。」
    （After thorough police investigation, the case finally came to light.）
• Exposure of secrets: Also used to describe situations where secrets or lies are exposed.
  • Example:「随着时间的推移，他的谎言终将水落石出。」
    （Over time, his lies will eventually be exposed.）
• Understanding the essence of matters: Can also express that after a long time, the essence or truth of a matter has finally been understood.
  • Example:「在讨论了几个小时后，我们终于对这个问题有了水落石出的认识。」
    （After hours of discussion, we finally gained an understanding that got to the heart of the issue.）

Additional Examples:

1. 随着证据的逐渐浮出水面，真相即将水落石出。
   （As the evidence gradually surfaces, the truth is about to be revealed.）
2. 在这场辩论中，双方的观点交锋激烈，但最终事实水落石出。
   （In this debate, both sides clashed fiercely, but in the end, the facts came to light.）
3. 经过多年的研究，这个科学难题终于水落石出。
   （After years of research, this scientific problem was finally solved.）
4. 他的真实意图，总有一天会水落石出的。
   （His true intentions will surely be revealed someday.）
5. 不要着急，真相早晚会水落石出的。
   （Don't rush; the truth will come to light sooner or later.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Metaphor from natural phenomena: '水落石出' originally describes a natural event where stones become visible as water recedes. It has come to symbolize the universal truth that the truth will inevitably be revealed.
• Literary origin in the Song Dynasty: This idiom originates from a line in Su Shi's (Su Dongpo) 'Later Ode to the Red Cliffs' which describes the changing natural scenery. Later, it was adopted metaphorically to mean the revelation of truth.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 真相大白 (zhēn xiàng dà bái): The truth becomes completely clear.
  • 原形毕露 (yuán xíng bì lù): The true nature (especially of a villain) is fully exposed.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 扑朔迷离 (pū shuò mí lí): Complex and confusing, with the truth unclear.
  • 雾里看花 (wù lǐ kàn huā): Like seeing flowers through fog; unclear and vague.

6. Summary

'水落石出' is a powerful idiom that expresses the eventual revelation of long-hidden truths. It reflects universal values such as the pursuit of truth and the realization of justice. This idiom can be used in various contexts, including uncovering the facts of a case, exposing secrets, and understanding the essence of matters. Using this idiom adds depth and persuasiveness to your writing.