改头换面 (gǎi tóu huàn miàn) — to make superficial changes; to change only the appearance while keeping the substance the same

Definition

A chengyu meaning to change only the outward appearance while the substance stays the same — usually with a critical tone that the change is cosmetic and insincere.

idiom
to make superficial changesto change only the appearance while keeping the substance the same

Examples

  • 改头换面
    Zhè zhǒng chǎn pǐn zhǐ shì gǎi tóu huàn miàn, hé xīn pèi fāng gēn běn méi biàn.
    This product has only undergone superficial changes — the core formula hasn't changed at all.
  • 改头换面
    Tā huàn le gè fà xíng hé yī fu, dàn dà jiā dōu jué de tā zhǐ shì gǎi tóu huàn miàn, xìng gé hái shì lǎo yàng zi.
    He got a new haircut and clothes, but everyone thinks he's just put a new face on things — his personality is still the same.
  • Zhè ge jì huà gǎi tóu huàn miàn zhī hòu yòu tí jiāo le yí cì, kě xī nèi róng jī hū méi gǎi.
    The plan was resubmitted after a superficial revamp, but unfortunately the content is barely changed.

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