遮羞布

zhēxiūbù

noun #35,864

Measure Word

一块遮羞布 kuài

Meanings

1 loincloth
2 (figuratively) fig leaf
3 thin cover for something embarrassing

Characters

shame, embarrassment

Examples

HSK 7-9

这个借口不过是块遮羞布。

Zhège jièkǒu bùguò shì kuài zhēxiūbù.

This excuse is nothing but a fig leaf.

HSK 7-9

他用谎言当遮羞布。

Tā yòng huǎngyán dāng zhēxiūbù.

He used lies as a cover-up.

Tips

usage

In modern usage 遮羞布 is almost always figurative - a flimsy excuse or cover-up that everyone sees through. The literal 'loincloth' meaning is rare today. Common collocation: 撕下遮羞布 'tear off the fig leaf'.

Stroke Order

遮 zhē

羞 xiū

布 bù