狼子野心 wolfish ambition
Explanation
比喻人凶狠残暴，心怀不轨。
Metaphorically describes someone who is cruel, brutal, and has evil intentions.
Origin Story
春秋时期，楚国令尹子文不喜欢他的侄子斗越椒，认为他有狼子野心。斗越椒后来成为令尹，为了夺取权力，他杀死自己的堂兄，最终被楚王打败，他的家族也被灭族。这个故事警示人们，不要被表面现象迷惑，要警惕那些心怀不轨的人。
In the Spring and Autumn Period, the prime minister of Chu State, Ziwen, disliked his nephew Dou Yuejiao, believing that he harbored evil intentions. Dou Yuejiao later became the prime minister, and in his quest for power, he killed his cousin. Ultimately, he was defeated by the king of Chu and his family was exterminated. This story serves as a cautionary tale against being deceived by appearances and warns of the danger of those with malicious intent.
Usage
用来形容那些心怀不轨、阴险狡诈的人。
Used to describe those who harbor evil intentions and are insidious and cunning.
Examples
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他表面上装得人畜无害，实际上却狼子野心，企图霸占公司。
ta biaomianshang zhuang de renchú wúhai, shijishang què lángzǐ yěxīn, qǐtú bàjiàn gōngsī.
He pretended to be harmless, but in fact he harbored evil intentions and attempted to seize the company.
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历史上许多奸臣都怀有狼子野心，最终遭到报应。
lìshǐ shang xǔduō jiānchén dōu huái yǒu lángzǐ yěxīn, zuìzhōng zāodào bàoyìng.
Many treacherous officials in history harbored evil intentions and were eventually punished.