绵里藏针 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

绵 mián cotton wad; wool; soft, downy
里 lǐ
HSK 1
unit of distance; village; lane
藏 cáng
HSK 5
hide, conceal; hoard, store up
针 zhēn
HSK 4
needle; pin; tack; acupuncture