📖 Meaning
To claim to like something but actually fear it when confronted with the real thing. Pretended affection that melts under reality.
📜 Origin Story
Lord Ye claimed to love dragons and decorated his whole house with dragon motifs. When a real dragon came to visit him, he was terrified and fled.
💡 Example Usage
你说喜欢挑战，结果真遇到就跑了，真是叶公好龙。
You claim to love challenges, but run away when one actually appears—true Lord Ye loving dragons.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 叶公好龙
- Pinyin: yè gōng hào lóng
- Literal Translation: Lord Ye loves dragons
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4