指桑罵槐 zhǐ sāng mà huái

fig. to scold sb indirectly

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. fig. to scold sb indirectly
  2. 2. to make oblique accusations (idiom)
  3. 3. lit. to point at the mulberry tree and curse the locust tree

Characters

Character Meaning
指 zhǐ HSK 4
to point at or to; to indicate or refer to; finger
桑 sāng HSK 6
mulberry tree; surname Sang; old variant of 桑sāng
罵 mà
to scold; to curse; to abuse
槐 huái
Chinese scholar tree (Sophora japonica)