# 藏头露尾

cáng tóu lù wěi

Conceal part of the truth while giving revealing hints

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Hide the head but expose the tail

**Traditional Chinese:** 藏頭露尾

**Register:** Critical · expressive

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Describe evasive speech or incomplete concealment.

Can concern wording rather than physical hiding.

## Understanding the expression

The creature’s head is hidden, but its tail betrays its presence. The expression describes a person trying to conceal something while leaving enough visible to arouse suspicion. It often concerns evasive explanations that omit the central fact but reveal inconsistencies. The criticism is about incomplete, misleading disclosure. A person can legitimately keep private information, so the phrase fits best when concealment affects a matter others reasonably need to understand or decide.

## Examples

他解释得藏头露尾，令人疑惑。

### Traditional Chinese

他解釋得藏頭露尾，令人疑惑。

tā jiě shì dé cáng tóu lù wěi ， lìng rén yí huò 。

His evasive explanation left revealing gaps and raised doubts.

别藏头露尾，把费用说清楚。

### Traditional Chinese

別藏頭露尾，把費用說清楚。

bié cáng tóu lù wěi ， bǎ fèi yòng shuō qīng chǔ 。

Do not conceal parts of the story; explain the costs clearly.

这份声明藏头露尾，没有交代责任。

### Traditional Chinese

這份聲明藏頭露尾，沒有交代責任。

zhè fèn shēng míng cáng tóu lù wěi ， méi yǒu jiāo dài zé rèn 。

The statement was evasive and did not explain responsibility.

她发现对方藏头露尾，便追问日期。

### Traditional Chinese

她發現對方藏頭露尾，便追問日期。

tā fā xiàn duì fāng cáng tóu lù wěi ， biàn zhuī wèn rì qī 。

Noticing the other party’s evasiveness, she asked for the date.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E8%97%8F%E9%A0%AD%E9%9C%B2%E5%B0%BE)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1030&webMd=1&la=0)

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