司马昭之心

司马昭之心

Literally means:

Si Ma Zhao's ill intent is known to all

Actually means:

the villain's ambition is obvious

It is the shortened form for 司马昭之心, 路人皆知 (even plain folks learn of Si Ma Zhao's intention). Si Ma Zhao, a powerful minister of Wei during the Three Kingdom period in Chinese history, was known for his ambition to seize the monarch of Wei.

This phrase figuratively refers to an ambition or conspiracy known to all or an obviously evil intention. Derogatory. obvious

成语“司马昭之心，路人皆知”的省略。司马昭，三国时代在魏国掌握大权的大臣，是一心想着夺取魏国政权的野心家。

司马昭之心，比喻大家都知道的野心或阴谋，也比喻很明显的坏心思。具有贬义色彩。