(literal) when the house burns, the rodents show their faces; only after the house is incinerated will people who burn it show their mousy faces
(figurative) when there's a fallout, breakdown or collapse, the bad actors or the corrupt that've hidden behind the scenes this whole time will have no choice but show their true identities; only when everything fails will the bad people be known behind the failure
Có câu "cháy nhà mới ra mặt chuột". Sau khi công ti vỡ nợ, mọi người biết chân tướng của tên giám đốc tham ô đồi bại.
They say "the rats will come out when the house burns". True enough, after the company filed for bankruptcy, everyone learned about the face of corruption and debauchery that is the president.
