綿裡藏針 mián lǐ cáng zhēn

DEFINITIONS

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

CHARACTERS

綿 mián cotton wad; wool; soft, downy
裡 lǐ inside, interior, within
藏 cáng
HSK 5
hide, conceal; hoard, store up
針 zhēn needle; pin; tack; acupuncture