📖 Meaning
To hide a sharp blade inside a scabbard. It is a metaphor for concealing murderous intent or hostile designs beneath a calm exterior. The phrase describes someone who appears harmless but secretly harbors lethal intentions.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom does not derive from a single classical text but is formed from the literal image of a blade concealed within its sheath. It draws on the long-standing Chinese metaphorical tradition of associating hidden weapons with concealed malice. Unlike related idioms that trace to specific historical anecdotes, this phrase is a descriptive compound built from common characters. Its usage reflects the cultural wariness toward those who mask aggression behind a placid facade.
💡 Example Usage
他表面和善，实则鞘里藏刀，令人难以防备。
He seems friendly on the surface, but in reality he hides a knife in his scabbard, making him impossible to guard against.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 鞘里藏刀
- Pinyin: qiào lǐ cáng dāo
- Literal Translation: scabbard, inside, hide, knife
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4