假途灭虢 Borrow the road to destroy Guó
Explanation
比喻表面上借道，实际上是图谋不轨，最终达到消灭对方的目的。
A metaphor that describes ostensibly borrowing a road, but actually harboring evil intentions, ultimately achieving the purpose of eliminating the opponent.
Origin Story
春秋时期，晋献公想攻打虢国，却担心虞国阻拦。于是，他派人向虞国献上宝马和珍宝，请求借道虞国领土攻打虢国。虞国国君贪财，不听大臣宫之奇的劝告，答应了晋国的请求。晋军借道虞国后，顺利攻破虢国，灭亡了虢国。随后，晋军乘胜追击，又很快灭掉了虞国。这个故事告诉我们，不要被表面现象迷惑，要看清事情的本质。
During the Spring and Autumn Period, Duke Xian of Jin wanted to attack the state of Guo, but was worried that the state of Yu would stop him. So, he sent people to offer Yu precious horses and treasures, requesting passage through Yu’s territory to attack Guo. The ruler of Yu, greedy for wealth, disregarded the advice of his minister Gong Zhiqi and agreed to Jin’s request. After borrowing a path through Yu, Jin’s army successfully conquered and destroyed Guo. Then, Jin’s army, taking advantage of their victory, quickly destroyed Yu as well. This story teaches us not to be misled by surface appearances, but to see the true nature of things.
Usage
常用来比喻表面上借用什么，实际上图谋不轨。
Often used to describe that one superficially borrows something, but actually has evil intentions.
Examples
-
他这是假途灭虢，想借刀杀人。
ta zhe shi jiatu mieguo,xiang jiedao sharen
This is a tactic of "borrowing a road to destroy Guó", he wants to use a knife to kill someone.
-
这分明是假途灭虢之计，目的在于吞并邻国。
zhe mingming shi jiatu mieguo zhi ji, mu de zaiyu tunbing lingguo
This is clearly a plan of "borrowing a road to destroy Guó", aiming at annexing the neighboring country。