指桑罵槐 zhǐ sāng mà huái

DEFINITIONS

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

CHARACTERS

指 zhǐ
HSK 4
finger, toe; point, indicate
桑 sāng
HSK 6
mulberry tree; surname
罵 mà accuse, blame, curse, scold
槐 huái locust tree