色厉内荏 sè lì nèi rěn

fierce outside but weak inside; bluffing

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. lit. show strength while weak inside (idiom); appearing fierce while cowardly at heart
  2. 2. a sheep in wolf's clothing

Characters

Character Meaning
色 sè HSK 2
color; sex; appearance
厉 lì HSK 4
severe; strict; surname Li
内 nèi HSK 4
inside; within; inner
荏 rěn
weak; soft; beefsteak plant (Perilla frutescens)