明察暗访

明察暗訪

míngcháànfǎng

idiom

Meanings

1 to investigate openly and in secret
2 to gather information by overt and covert means
3 thorough investigation

Characters

to observe; to investigate

to inquire; to visit

Examples

记者经过明察暗访，终于揭露了这起事件。

Jìzhě jīngguò míngcháànfǎng, zhōngyú jiēlù le zhè qǐ shìjiàn.

The reporter, through open and covert investigation, finally exposed the incident.

纪委对该干部进行了明察暗访。

Jìwěi duì gāi gànbù jìnxíng le míngcháànfǎng.

The Discipline Inspection Commission conducted open and covert investigations of the cadre.

Tips

history

From the late-Qing novel 《痛史》 by Wu Jianren: a loyalist declares he will leave his retreat and go out to 「明察暗访」 to understand the real situation.

usage

Typical contexts: journalism, anti-corruption work, police investigation, inspection tours. Combines the two methods — obvious observation and quiet inquiry — into a single investigative approach.

Stroke Order

明 míng

察 chá

暗 àn

访 fǎng