Chinese idiom · 成语
项庄舞剑
Meaning
Xiang Zhuang dances with a sword; a pretext for hidden intentions.
Character by character
Origin and story
historical accountAt the Hongmen banquet in the Shiji’s biography of Xiang Yu, Liu Bang is a guest in his rival's camp. Xiang Zhuang performs a sword dance, but entertainment is only the pretext: he intends to kill Liu Bang. Zhang Liang goes to the camp entrance and tells Fan Kuai that the situation is urgent, explaining that the dancer's real attention is fixed on the Duke of Pei, Liu Bang.
The familiar full saying, 项庄舞剑，意在沛公, contrasts the visible performance with its concealed target. The short form keeps the same implication. In later use the hidden purpose need not involve physical harm; an apparently unrelated meeting, complaint, or gesture may really be aimed at gaining some other advantage.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
他表面上请我喝咖啡，其实想让我替他推销课程，真是项庄舞剑，意在沛公。
He invited me for coffee, but really wanted me to promote his course—a friendly gesture hiding another aim.
Often used in the complete saying; suggests an ulterior motive, usually critically.