吃里扒外 to betray one's own side
Explanation
形容既接受一方的好处，又为另一方卖力。比喻两面讨好，或背叛自己一方。
To describe someone who receives benefits from one side while working for the other side, betraying their own side. It signifies being two-faced or treacherous.
Origin Story
话说唐朝时期，边关告急，大将军李靖率领大军前往御敌。军营中有一名叫做王成的士兵，表面上忠于朝廷，尽职尽责地守卫边疆，暗地里却与敌方暗通款曲，将我军部署和情报偷偷地传递给敌军。李靖发现后，大怒，将王成捉拿归案，依法处斩。王成的行为便是典型的"吃里扒外"。他既享受着朝廷的俸禄，却暗中协助敌人，最终害人害己，自食恶果。
During the Tang Dynasty, when the border was threatened, General Li Jing led his troops to fight against the enemy. Among his soldiers was one named Wang Cheng, who outwardly appeared loyal to the emperor and diligently guarded the border, but secretly colluded with the enemy and secretly passed information and strategies to the enemy. Li Jing discovered this, was furious, arrested Wang Cheng, and executed him according to the law. Wang Cheng's actions are a classic example of "chī lǐ pá wài". He enjoyed the emperor's pay, but secretly aided the enemy, ultimately harming both himself and others.
Usage
用作谓语、宾语；形容既得一方好处，又为另一方效力。
Used as a predicate or object; to describe someone who receives benefits from one side while working for another.
Examples
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他吃里扒外，损害了公司的利益。
tā chī lǐ pá wài, sǔnhài le gōngsī de lìyì
He is a traitor who has been harming the interests of his company.
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这个奸细吃里扒外，为敌国提供情报。
zhège jiānxī chī lǐ pá wài, wèi dīgúo tígōng qingbào
This spy betrayed the interests of his country by giving secrets to the enemy country