Definition
This fixed expression (chengyu) means 'brazenly' or 'flagrantly' — doing something bad or immoral without any attempt to hide it. The literal image ('bright eyes, open gall') is misleading; the actual meaning emphasizes shameless openness. It is used adverbially, often followed by 地 before the verb, and always carries a negative connotation.
f.e./adv.
brazenlyflagrantlyopenly (doing something bad)
Examples
- 明目张胆。Tā míng mù zhāng dǎn de tānwū le gōngkuǎn.He brazenly embezzled public funds.
- 明目张胆。Zhèxiē guānyuán míng mù zhāng dǎn de jìnxíng quán qián jiāoyì.These officials brazenly engaged in power-money trades.
- 明目张胆。Tā jūrán míng mù zhāng dǎn de zài kǎochǎng zuòbì.He actually brazenly cheated in the exam.
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