美其名曰 (měi qí míng yuē) — to give something a fine-sounding name (often to gloss over its true nature); to whitewash
Definition
An idiom meaning to dress up something unsavory with a flattering label. Always negative — the 'fine name' is a cover for the real, often bad, nature of the thing.
idiom
to give something a fine-sounding name (often to gloss over its true nature)to whitewash
Examples
- 美其名曰“”。Tā bǎ zì jǐ de dài duò měi qí míng yuē wèi "xiū xi".He whitewashes his laziness by calling it 'rest'.
- 美其名曰“”。Zhè jiā gōng sī bǎ cái yuán měi qí míng yuē wèi "yōu huà tuán duì".This company glosses over layoffs by calling them 'team optimization'.
- 美其名曰“”。Yǒu xiē rén bǎ bú fù zé rèn měi qí míng yuē wèi "zì yóu".Some people give their irresponsibility the fine-sounding name of 'freedom'.
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