心怀鬼胎 ulterior motives
Explanation
比喻心中怀藏着不可告人的秘密或阴谋诡计。
Figuratively refers to having secret plans or schemes in one's heart.
Origin Story
话说唐朝时期，有个叫李白的诗人，他年轻时喜欢仗剑走天涯，豪气干云。然而，随着年龄增长，他经历了仕途坎坷和人生变故，心中渐渐滋生了隐秘的野心和不甘。他表面上与友人诗酒唱和，谈笑风生，实则心怀鬼胎，暗中策划着如何重返朝堂，实现自己的抱负。 一日，他与好友杜甫饮酒赋诗，杜甫察觉到李白眼神闪烁，言辞含糊，便试探性地问他：“兄长近日心事重重，可是有何难言之隐？”李白强笑着敷衍过去，却在心中暗自思忖，该如何不动声色地实现自己的计划。他表面上依然风流倜傥，诗兴大发，但内心的焦虑与算计却从未停歇，如同一个隐藏在黑暗中的幽灵，时刻控制着他的思想和行为。 最终，李白的野心并没有得到实现，他晚年凄凉，落魄而终。他的故事也成为了“心怀鬼胎”的最佳写照，提醒世人，做人应当坦诚，光明磊落，切莫心怀鬼胎，阴谋算计。
In the Tang Dynasty, there was a poet named Li Bai. In his youth, he loved the life of an adventurer and always dreamed of high goals. But with age, after experiencing many setbacks and disappointments in life, he secretly harbored ambition and inner discontent. Outwardly, he showed himself to his friends in high spirits and they drank together. But in reality, he harbored secret plans and secretly prepared for his return to the court to achieve his goals. One day, when he was drinking wine and writing poetry with his friend Du Fu, Du Fu noticed the strange gleam in his eyes and his vague words. Carefully, he asked him about his concerns. Li Bai acted as if everything was alright, but he secretly pondered how to implement his plans unobtrusively. He continued to behave in his charming way and also participated in other poets' gatherings, but his inner anxiety and calculation remained – like a ghost hidden in the darkness, controlling his thoughts and actions. Finally, Li Bai was unable to realize his ambition. He died poor and impoverished in old age. His story is an example of 'secret thoughts'; it warns posterity that people should be honest and sincere and should not have secret motives.
Usage
常用作谓语、定语；形容人有不可告人的秘密或阴谋。
Often used as a predicate or attributive; describes someone with secret plans or intrigues.
Examples
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他总是心怀鬼胎，让人难以捉摸。
tā zǒng shì xīn huái guǐ tāi, ràng rén nán yǐ zhuō mō
He always has ulterior motives, making him hard to understand.
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她做事鬼鬼祟祟，肯定心怀鬼胎。
tā zuò shì guǐ guǐ suì suì, kěng dìng xīn huái guǐ tāi
She acts furtively and certainly has an ulterior motive.