綿裡藏針 mián lǐ cáng zhēn

fig. ruthless character behind a gentle appearance

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. fig. ruthless character behind a gentle appearance
  2. 2. lit. a needle concealed in silk floss (idiom)
  3. 3. an iron fist in a velvet glove
  4. 4. a wolf in sheep's clothing

Characters

Character Meaning
綿 mián
cotton; soft; continuous
裡 lǐ
inside; interior; internal
藏 cáng HSK 5
to hide away; to conceal; to store
針 zhēn
needle; pin; injection