装白脸

装白脸:

Literally means:

play the white face

Actually means:

白脸 is the color painted on the face of an evil person in the Chinese traditional opera.

This phrase figuratively refers to the one who act as a severe or harsh person in dealing with a conflict. It is the opposite of 装红脸, meaning acting as red face. And these two phrases are often used together.

白脸，古典戏曲中扮演奸邪人物的演员脸上涂的颜色。

装白脸，在处理矛盾冲突时充当坏人，即态度严厉、强硬的人。和“装红脸”相对。两者经常配合使用。