share the same bed but dream different dreams; have ulterior motives
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to share the same bed but dream different dreams; to live or work together while having different agendas or ulterior motives
Often used to describe married couples, political allies, or business partners who appear united outwardly but are actually working toward different goals. Can carry a negative connotation of insincerity or hidden motives.
Tā他
men们
fū夫
qī妻
liǎ俩
zǎo早
yǐ已
tóng同
chuáng床
yì异
mèng梦
，
lí离
hūn婚
shì是
chí迟
zǎo早
de的
shì事
。
The couple has been sharing the same bed but dreaming different dreams for a long time; divorce is only a matter of time.
Zhè这
liǎng两
gè个
zhèng政
dǎng党
suī虽
rán然
lián联
hé合
zhí执
zhèng政
，
dàn但
shí实
jì际
shang上
tóng同
chuáng床
yì异
mèng梦
。
Although these two parties are in a coalition government, in reality they have different agendas.
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Hé合
zuò作
shuāng双
fāng方
rú如
guǒ果
tóng同
chuáng床
yì异
mèng梦
，
xiàng项
mù目
hěn很
nán难
chéng成
gōng功
。
If the two partners in the cooperation have conflicting interests, the project will be difficult to succeed.