現 (arawa(su): to appear, become visible, come into view, be revealed, materialize)
When a seemingly nice person reveals an ugly side, you can talk about that with this phrase:
正体を現す (shōtai o arawasu: to show one’s true (and ugly) colors) authentic + form + to be revealed
This involves the same 正体 we saw last week in the expression 正体を暴露する (shōtai o bakuro suru: to show one’s true colors, authentic + form + to expose + to expose).
By contrast, if someone emerges from obscurity as a prominent talent, you will want this phrase:
頭角を現す (tōkaku o arawasu: to distinguish oneself; to stand out) head + antlers!!! + to come into view
Yes, a head with antlers certainly does stand out, which is why I generally make a point of leaving mine at home.
