Gēbo (/gēbei) shé le, wǎng xiù lǐ cáng.

胳膊(/胳臂)折了, 往袖裡藏。

Lit [If one's] elbow is broken, [one should] hide [it] in one's sleeve.

Fig (1) If one has some shortcomings or if one has done something stupid or wrong, one cannot let it be known to others. (2) One tends to cover up or protect one's own people.

Note [Cf. DRC, chap. 7 and 68; Guānchǎng Xiànxíng Jì, chap. 11 and 36; see also jiāchǒu bùkě and the following entry.]

Topics COVER-UP DRC FAVORITISM Guānchǎng Xiànxíng Jì MISTAKES SELF-PROTECTION SHORTCOMINGS