巧立名目 qiǎo lì míng mù

to concoct various items (e.g. to pad an expense account)

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. to concoct various items (e.g. to pad an expense account)
  2. 2. to fabricate excuses (idiom)

Characters

Character Meaning
巧 qiǎo HSK 4
coincidentally; as it happens; skillful
立 lì HSK 5
to stand; to establish; to set up
名 míng HSK 1
name; famous; place (e.g. among winners)
目 mù HSK 3
eye; item; list