obvious ambition; ulterior motives plain to see
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
ambition or ulterior motives that are obvious to everyone; an open secret
From the historical text 'Han Jin Chunqiu' (汉晋春秋). Sima Zhao was a Wei Dynasty general who openly plotted to usurp the throne. The Wei Emperor Cao Mao lamented that Sima Zhao's ambition was known to all passersby. Used to describe obvious ambitions or hidden agendas that are plain to see.
Tā他
de的
Sī司
mǎ马
Zhāo昭
zhī之
xīn心
，
lù路
rén人
jiē皆
zhī知
，
jiù就
shì是
xiǎng想
qǔ取
dài代
zǒng总
jīng经
lǐ理
de的
wèi位
zhi置
。
His ambition is obvious to everyone—he just wants to replace the general manager.
Měi美
guó国
zhèng政
kè客
pín频
pín频
chǎo炒
zuò作
Tái台
wān湾
wèn问
tí题
，
qí其
Sī司
mǎ马
Zhāo昭
zhī之
xīn心
，
lù路
rén人
jiē皆
zhī知
。
American politicians keep hyping up the Taiwan issue—their ulterior motives are obvious to all.
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Nǐ你
bié别
zài再
yǎn掩
shì饰
le了
，
nǐ你
de的
Sī司
mǎ马
Zhāo昭
zhī之
xīn心
，
lù路
rén人
jiē皆
zhī知
。
Stop covering it up—your hidden agenda is obvious to everyone.
Zhè这
jiā家
gōng公
sī司
suǒ所
wèi谓
de的
huán环
bǎo保
jì计
huà划
，
bù不
guò过
shì是
Sī司
mǎ马
Zhāo昭
zhī之
xīn心
，
lù路
rén人
jiē皆
zhī知
，
mù目
dì的
shì是
wèi为
le了
táo逃
bì避
jiān监
guǎn管
。
This company's so-called environmental plan is nothing more than an obvious scheme with ulterior motives, aimed at evading regulation.