📖 Meaning
To deliberately put on an act or pretend in order to impress others. It describes someone who behaves in an affected, artificial manner rather than naturally. The idiom conveys a sense of phoniness and insincerity.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the Qing dynasty playwright Li Yu's work 'Shenzhong Lou: Shuang Ding' (蜃中楼·双订). In the scene, a character remarks on how two people who previously adored someone now act stiff and pretentious upon meeting that person face to face. The phrase vividly captures the contrast between genuine feeling and affected behavior. Over time, it became a common expression for describing deliberate posturing or affected conduct.
💡 Example Usage
她明明不懂装懂，在专家面前妆模作样，结果当场被识破了。
She clearly knew nothing yet pretended to be an expert, putting on airs in front of the specialists, only to be exposed on the spot.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 妆模作样
- Pinyin: zhuāng mó zuò yàng
- Literal Translation: adorn, model, make, appearance
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4