徒有虚名 (tú yǒu xū míng) — to have an undeserved reputation; to be all show and no substance
Definition
A four-character idiom meaning someone or something has a reputation with no real ability behind it — all image, no substance. Usually used to criticize a person, company, or title that is all show.
idiom
to have an undeserved reputationto be all show and no substance
Examples
- 徒有虚名，。Zhè ge yǎn yuán tú yǒu xū míng, yǎn jì qí shí hěn chà.This actor has a reputation that isn't deserved; his acting skills are actually very poor.
- 徒有虚名，。Nà jiā gōng sī tú yǒu xū míng, chǎn pǐn zhì liàng gēn běn bù xíng.That company has a hollow reputation; its product quality is simply no good.
- 徒有虚名。Bié xiāng xìn nà xiē tú yǒu xū míng de suǒ wèi zhuān jiā.Don't trust those so-called experts who have nothing but an empty title.
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