betray sth in a single statement; come to the point without hedging; get to the heart of the matter in a few words; lay bare the truth with one penetrating remark; point out the truth(/penetrate into the essence/lay bare the crux of the matter/expose sb’s true intentions) with a single word (/phrase/remark); puncture a fallacy with one remark; put one’s finger right on the matter (/spot)
❍ 这一新名称就～了两党的优劣了。(杨植霖《王若飞在狱中》55)The new name immediately shows the difference between the two parties.
❍ 你说他是受了野心的驱使，真是一语破的。You hit the nail on the head when you said that he had been driven by ambition.
一语道破
lay bare the truth with one penetrating remark;hit the nail on the head
一语道破yī yǔ dào pò
道：说。一句话就说穿了。比喻说话说到点子上，击中了要害。hit the nail on the head, point out the truth with a single word