yù欲wantgài盖covermí弥morezhāng彰obvious
The more one tries to conceal, the more obvious it becomes.
Literal meaning
want (欲) — cover (盖) — more (弥) — obvious (彰)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase about the futility of covering up mistakes.
Examples
Tā他shì试tú图yǎn掩gài盖cuò错wù误，jié结guǒ果yù欲gài盖mí弥zhāng彰。
He tried to cover up his mistake, but the more he tried, the more obvious it became.
Yǔ与qí其yǎn掩shì饰，bù不rú如tǎn坦chéng诚miàn面duì对，fǒu否zé则zhǐ只huì会yù欲gài盖mí弥zhāng彰。
Rather than covering up, it's better to face it honestly, otherwise it will only become more obvious.
Usage & nuances
Often used in situations where someone is trying to hide something embarrassing or wrong.
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