心怀鬼胎

心懷鬼胎

xīnhuái-guǐtāi

idiom

Meanings

HSK 5

他心怀鬼胎，说话总是躲躲闪闪。

Tā xīnhuái-guǐtāi, shuōhuà zǒngshì duǒduǒshǎnshǎn.

He's hiding something; his answers are always evasive.

HSK 6

这两个人各自心怀鬼胎，合作不会长久。

Zhè liǎng gè rén gèzì xīnhuái-guǐtāi, hézuò bùhuì chángjiǔ.

Each has their own hidden agenda; this partnership won't last.

HSK 7-9

会议上大家表面和气，其实心怀鬼胎。

Huìyì shàng dàjiā biǎomiàn héqi, qíshí xīnhuái-guǐtāi.

Everyone was polite at the meeting, but each had their own ulterior motives.

memory

鬼胎 literally means 'ghost fetus' - something unnatural you're secretly carrying inside. Anyone 心怀鬼胎 is pregnant with hidden schemes.

心 xīn

怀 huái

鬼 guǐ

胎 tāi