明目张胆

明目張膽

míngmù-zhāngdǎn

idiom #25,644

Meanings

1 openly and without fear
2 brazenly
3 flagrantly

Characters

bright; clear; open

to open; to spread; to enlarge

gallbladder; courage; boldness

Examples

HSK 5

这家公司明目张胆地违反了劳动法。

Zhè jiā gōngsī míngmù-zhāngdǎn de wéifǎn le láodòngfǎ.

The company flagrantly violated labor laws.

HSK 7-9

他明目张胆地在众目睽睽之下偷东西。

Tā míngmù-zhāngdǎn de zài zhòngmù-kuíkuí zhīxià tōu dōngxi.

He brazenly stole things in full view of everyone.

HSK 7-9

他明目张胆地撒谎，毫无愧意。

Tā míngmù-zhāngdǎn de sāhuǎng, háowú kuìyì.

He lied brazenly and felt not a trace of shame.

Tips

memory

明目 = bright eyes (wide open); 张胆 = emboldened gallbladder (fearless). Picture someone with eyes wide open and chest puffed out, doing wrong without any shame - that is 明目张胆.

Stroke Order

明 míng

目 mù

张 zhāng

胆 dǎn