金きん箔ぱくが剥はげる

expression, ichidan verb

reveal one's true colors; show one's true nature

Idiomatic expression literally meaning 'the gold leaf peels off', used when someone's superficial good qualities wear away and their real, often less admirable, character is exposed.

See also: メッキが剥げる (メッキがはげる)

• 付つき合あいが長ながくなると、誰だれでも金きん箔ぱくが剥はげるものだ。

  As you spend more time together, anyone's true colors will show.

• 彼かれの親しん切せつも長ながくは続つづかず、すぐに金きん箔ぱくが剥はげた。

  His kindness didn't last long; his true nature soon came out.