📖 Meaning
To harbor malicious intentions that cannot be easily fathomed. It describes someone whose inner motives are sinister and impossible to predict, making them dangerous and untrustworthy.
📜 Origin Story
This phrase originates from the Ming dynasty novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong, Chapter 57. In the story, Cao Cao is described as harboring unfathomable intentions, and a warning is given that visiting him would likely result in harm. The term highlights Cao Cao's reputation as a cunning and treacherous figure whose true thoughts could never be trusted.
💡 Example Usage
此人面善而心怀叵测，不可深交。
This man appears kind on the surface but harbors unfathomable motives; you should not get too close to him.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 心怀叵测
- Pinyin: xīn huái pǒ cè
- Literal Translation: heart, harbor, unpredictable, guess
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4