勾心斗角
gōu​xīn​dòu​jiǎo

to fight and scheme against each other

gōu​xīn​dòu​jiǎo to fight and scheme against each other
  1. 勾 gōu
    to collude
    to collude; to conspire or link up with someone for an illicit purpose
  2. 心 xīn noun
    intention
    purpose; motive; moral character or disposition
  3. 斗 鬥 dòu verbnoun
    to fight
    to fight; to struggle against; to contend or vie for victory
  4. 角 jué noun
    to compete
    to compete; to contend; to wrestle; to engage in a verbal dispute

gōu​xīn​dòu​jiǎo elaborate and refined
  1. 勾 gōu verb
    hook
    a hook or hook-shaped object
  2. 心 xīn noun
    center
    the middle or interior part of something; the core
  3. 斗 鬥 dòu
    to fit together
    to piece together; to join or assemble parts into a whole
  4. 角 jiǎo noun
    corner
    corner; place where two lines or edges meet; secluded spot