沐猴而冠 mù hóu ér guàn

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. a monkey wearing a hat (idiom)
  2. fig. worthless person in imposing attire

CHARACTERS

沐 mù bathe, cleanse, wash, shampoo
猴 hóu monkey, ape; monkey-like
而 ér and; and then; and yet; but
冠 guàn cap, crown, headgear