指桑骂槐
zhǐ​sāng​mà​huái

indirect scolding

  • created sense approved 指桑骂槐/指桑罵槐 · zhǐ​sāng​mà​huái · indirect scolding

    指桑骂槐 / 指桑罵槐

    zhǐ​sāng​mà​huái

    indirect scolding

    to scold someone indirectly or make oblique accusations by pointing at one thing while criticizing another

    他不敢直接批评老板，只好指桑骂槐地抱怨了几句。

    idiom

    created sense