项庄舞剑，意在沛公
xiàng​zhuāng​wǔ​jiàn​yì​zài​pèi​gōng

to have a hidden motive

Senses

项庄舞剑，意在沛公/ 項莊舞劍，意在沛公 xiàng​zhuāng​wǔ​jiàn​yì​zài​pèi​gōng to have a hidden motive

(idiom) Xiang Zhuang performs the sword dance, but his mind is set on the Duke of Pei; refers to an elaborate deception used to hide malicious intent or a secret goal. Derived from a plot to murder 刘邦 liú​bāng during the 鸿门宴 hóng​mén​yàn.

项庄舞剑，意在沛公/ 項莊舞劍，意在沛公 xiàng​zhuāng​wǔ​jiàn​yì​zài​pèi​gōng to have an ulterior motive

Xiang Zhuang performs a sword dance, but his mind is on the Duke of Pei; to use a front to hide an intended attack or hidden agenda

References

see 项庄舞剑/項莊舞劍 → 项庄舞剑，意在沛公/項莊舞劍，意在沛公