掛羊頭賣狗肉 guà yáng tóu mài gǒu ròu

fig. to cheat; dishonest advertising

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. fig. to cheat
  2. 2. dishonest advertising
  3. 3. wicked deeds carried out under banner of virtue
  4. 4. lit. to hang a sheep's head while selling dog meat (idiom)

Characters

Character Meaning
掛 guà
to hang or suspend (from a hook etc)
羊 yáng HSK 2
sheep; goat; surname Yang
頭 tóu
head; the top; end
賣 mài
to sell; to show off or flaunt; to betray
狗 gǒu HSK 1
dog
肉 ròu HSK 2
meat; flesh; pulp (of a fruit)