to use clever tricks; to be fickle; capricious
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesidiom
to use clever means to achieve a goal; to be resourceful
literaryThe original, more literal meaning based on the ancient fable. It describes a cunning person who uses tricks to deceive the foolish.
Lì历
shǐ史
shàng上
，
hěn很
duō多
zhèng政
kè客
dōu都
shàn善
yú于
zhāo朝
sān三
mù暮
sì四
de的
shǒu手
duàn段
lái来
zhēng争
qǔ取
zhī支
chí持
。
Historically, many politicians were good at using clever tactics to win support.
Tā他
zhè这
fān番
huà话
bù不
guò过
shì是
zhāo朝
sān三
mù暮
sì四
，
huàn换
ge个
shuō说
fǎ法
hù糊
nòng弄
rén人
bà罢
le了
。
His words were merely a clever trick, just a different way to fool people.
idiom
to be fickle; to blow hot and cold; to change one's mind frequently
derogatoryThe modern, more common meaning. It strongly criticizes a person who is inconsistent, unreliable, and changes their stance or affections easily.
Tā他
duì对
dài待
gǎn感
qíng情
zhāo朝
sān三
mù暮
sì四
，
nǚ女
péng朋
you友
huàn换
le了
yī一
ge个
yòu又
yī一
ge个
。
He is fickle in relationships, changing girlfriends one after another.
Zhè这
jiā家
gōng公
sī司
de的
zhèng政
cè策
zhāo朝
sān三
mù暮
sì四
，
ràng让
yuán员
gōng工
wú无
suǒ所
shì适
cóng从
。
This company's policies are capricious, leaving employees at a loss.
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Bié别
xiāng相
xìn信
tā他
de的
chéng承
nuò诺
，
tā他
xiàng向
lái来
shì是
ge个
zhāo朝
sān三
mù暮
sì四
de的
rén人
。
Don't believe his promises; he has always been a fickle person.
Tiān天
qì气
jiù就
xiàng像
tā他
de的
xīn心
qíng情
yī一
yàng样
，
zhāo朝
sān三
mù暮
sì四
，
shuō说
biàn变
jiù就
biàn变
。
The weather, like his mood, is changeable and fickle.