明枪好躲，暗箭难防 míng qiāng hǎo duǒ ， àn jiàn nán fáng

open attack is clear, hidden harm is harder

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. lit. easy to dodge the spear in the open, hard to avoid a stab in the dark (idiom); it is hard to guard against secret conspiracies

Characters

Character Meaning
明 míng HSK 1
bright; (of meaning) clear; to understand
枪 qiāng HSK 5
gun; firearm; rifle
好 hǎo HSK 1
good; well; very
躲 duǒ HSK 5
to avoid; to hide; to dodge
暗 àn HSK 5
dark; hidden; secret
箭 jiàn HSK 6
arrow
难 nán HSK 3
difficult; difficult (to...); difficulty
防 fáng HSK 5
to prevent; to protect; to defend