指桑骂槐

zhǐsāngmàhuái

point at the mulberry and abuse the locust—point at one but abuse another; make oblique accusations

* * *

point at one but abuse another

* * *

point at one but abuse another

* * *

zhi3 sang1 ma4 huai2

lit. to point at the mulberry tree and curse the locust tree, fig. to scold sb indirectly, to make oblique accusations (idiom)

* * *

指桑骂槐

zhǐ sāng mà huái

scold the locust while pointing at the mulberry; abuse a person by ostensibly pointing to someone else; abuse one over the shoulder of another; a veiled abuse; curse one thing while pointing to another; make oblique accusations (remarks); mock the locust on behalf of the mulberry tree; point at the mulberry and abuse the locust -- to point at one but abuse another; revile the locust tree while pointing to the mulberry; strike at one by reviling others

* * *

指桑罵槐|指桑骂槐 [zhǐ sāng mà huái] ► lit. to point at the mulberry tree and curse the locust tree ► fig. to scold sb indirectly ► to make oblique accusations (idiom)