# 欲盖弥彰

yù gài mí zhāng

Make a secret more obvious by hiding it

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** The more one covers, the more it shows

**Traditional Chinese:** 欲蓋彌彰

**Register:** Critical · general

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

## When to use it

Criticize a failed cover-up.

Silence or privacy does not always imply guilt.

## Understanding the expression

A clumsy cover draws attention to the very thing it tries to conceal. The expression describes denials, explanations, or alterations that make a hidden problem more noticeable. Modern use often concerns excuses, deleted records, or obvious inconsistencies. It focuses on the effect of the attempted concealment. An awkward reaction alone is not proof of wrongdoing, so the phrase should follow evidence rather than turn every request for privacy into suspicion.

## Examples

他急着删记录，反而欲盖弥彰。

### Traditional Chinese

他急著刪記錄，反而欲蓋彌彰。

tā jí zhe shān jì lù ， fǎn ér yù gài mí zhāng 。

His rush to delete records only drew more attention.

这番解释有些欲盖弥彰。

### Traditional Chinese

這番解釋有些欲蓋彌彰。

zhè fān jiě shì yǒu xiē yù gài mí zhāng 。

This explanation seems to reveal what it tries to hide.

别改日期，否则欲盖弥彰。

### Traditional Chinese

別改日期，否則欲蓋彌彰。

bié gǎi rì qī ， fǒu zé yù gài mí zhāng 。

Do not change the date; that will make concealment obvious.

她的反复否认变成欲盖弥彰。

### Traditional Chinese

她的反覆否認變成欲蓋彌彰。

tā de fǎn fù fǒu rèn biàn chéng yù gài mí zhāng 。

Her repeated denials made the matter more conspicuous.

## 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=%E6%AC%B2%E8%93%8B%E5%BD%8C%E5%BD%B0)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=276&webMd=1&la=0)

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