水落石出

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: shuǐ luò shí chū
• English Translation: The water recedes and the rocks appear (the truth comes to light)
• Idiom Composition: 「水」（Water (referring to the water level or tide)）＋「落」（To fall or recede）＋「石」（Rocks (a metaphor for the hidden facts or truth)）＋「出」（To emerge or appear）
• Meaning: Just as rocks are revealed when the water level of a river drops, this idiom describes the process of the truth or hidden facts finally becoming fully apparent after a period of uncertainty or investigation.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「水落石出」 contains the following nuances:

• Uncovering the Truth: This refers to the process and result of hidden information becoming public, either naturally over time or as the direct result of an active investigation.
• The Logic of Cause and Effect: The structure of the idiom implies that once the 'water' (obstacles, confusion, or time) is removed, the 'rocks' (the truth) will inevitably be seen. It suggests that truth is persistent and will eventually surface.

3. Usage

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

• Solving Mysteries or Crimes: Commonly used in police investigations or mystery stories when the culprit or the trick is finally identified. It often expresses a strong will to resolve a case.
  • Example:「经过警方的缜密侦查，这起案件终于水落石出。」
    （After a thorough investigation by the police, the truth of the case has finally come to light.）
• Clearing Misunderstandings: Used when someone has been falsely accused or when a situation is unclear, expressing the hope that the truth will eventually be revealed and innocence proven.
  • Example:「我相信只要调查清楚，事情总会有水落石出的一天。」
    （I believe that as long as a proper investigation is conducted, the day will come when the truth is revealed.）

Additional Examples:

1. 不管过程多么曲折，我一定要把这件事搞个水落石出。
   （No matter how complicated the process is, I am determined to get to the bottom of this matter.）
2. 等到水落石出那一天，大家自然会明白谁是对的。
   （When the day comes that the truth is out in the open, everyone will naturally understand who was right.）
3. 随着关键证人的出现，当年的谜团终于水落石出。
   （With the appearance of a key witness, the mystery from years ago has finally been solved.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Origin and Evolution: This expression originally appeared in the works of famous Song Dynasty (宋朝) scholars, such as Ouyang Xiu (欧阳修) in 'The Pavilion of the Drunken Old Man' (醉翁亭记) and Su Shi (苏轼) in his 'Second Ode on the Red Cliffs' (后赤壁赋). It initially described the natural scenery of winter when low water levels exposed the riverbed. Today, it is almost exclusively used in its metaphorical sense.
• Nuance: Unlike idioms like 东窗事发 (dōng chuāng shì fā), which specifically refers to a crime or evil plot being exposed, 水落石出 (shuǐ luò shí chū) is more neutral or positive. It focuses on the clarity of the truth regardless of whether the outcome is favorable or unfavorable.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 真相大白 (zhēn xiàng dà bái): The whole truth is revealed; a more direct way of saying the facts are now clear.
  • 拨云见日 (bō yún jiàn rì): To clear the clouds and see the sun; carries a more positive nuance of justice being served or hope returning.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 扑朔迷离 (pū shuò mí lí): Complicated and confusing; describes a situation where the truth is very difficult to grasp.
  • 不明不白 (bù míng bù bái): Ambiguous or unclear; often used to describe suspicious circumstances or unproven innocence.

6. Summary

水落石出 (shuǐ luò shí chū) was originally used to describe a winter landscape where receding river waters reveal the stones on the bed. In modern English contexts, it is a powerful metaphor for the truth finally coming to light. Whether it is a criminal investigation, a complex mystery, or a personal misunderstanding, this phrase is used when the confusion clears and the reality of the situation becomes undeniable. It is frequently used with the verb 搞 (gǎo) in the phrase 搞个水落石出 (gǎo gè shuǐ luò shí chū), which means "to get to the bottom of things."