梁上君子

梁上君子

Literally means:

gentleman on the beam

Actually means:

burglar; thief

It derives from a story that goes like this: a burglar hid himself on the beam at night, ready to steal things from the house, when the owner discovered him and addressed him as a gentleman on the beam. 君子, a gentleman.

This phrase refers to burglars or thieves. Usually ironic. Derogatory.

从前有个小偷夜里躲在人家的屋梁上准备偷东西，主人发现了称他为“梁上君子”。君子，品德高尚的人。

梁上君子，指小偷、窃贼。多含有讽刺的意味。具有贬义色彩。