Zuòfàn mán bu liǎo guōtái; tiāo shuǐ mán bu liǎo jǐngtái.

做飯瞞不了鍋臺, 挑水瞞不了井臺。

Lit Cooking can't be hidden from the stove top, [and] water carrying can't be concealed from the well.

Fig Whatever one does can't be concealed from one's neighbors.

Note [Rhyme; see also zhīdǐ mò guò and zhòngrén yǎnjing above.]

Topics ACTIONS NEIGHBORS SECRETS