居心叵测 (jū xīn pǒ cè) — having unfathomable intentions; with hidden motives (often malicious)

Definition

A formal idiom meaning 'with hidden (usually malicious) motives' — stronger than 别有用心, which can be neutral or political, while this one always implies evil intent.

idiom
having unfathomable intentionswith hidden motives (often malicious)

Examples

  • 居心叵测
    Zhè ge rén jū xīn pǒ cè, nǐ yào xiǎo xīn.
    This person has hidden intentions — you should be careful.
  • 居心叵测
    Tā jū xīn pǒ cè de xíng wéi ràng rén nán yǐ xìn rèn.
    His behavior, with its hidden motives, makes it hard to trust him.
  • 居心叵测
    Zài shāng yè tán pàn zhōng, duì shǒu jū xīn pǒ cè, wǒ men bì xū dī fáng.
    In business negotiations, the opponent's intentions are unfathomable — we must be on guard.

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