"To have honey on the lips and a sword in the belly" literally means that one's mouth is coated with honey while a sharp sword is hidden in the stomach. It describes a person whose words are sweet and pleasant, but whose heart is sinister and vicious, harboring murderous intent. This idiom comes from the Zizhi Tongjian, and refers to Li Linfu, a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. On the surface, he treated people with humility and always spoke sweet words, but in secret he pushed out and framed those who were more talented than he was or who had won the emperor's favor. For this reason, people at the time said of him, "He has honey in his mouth and a sword in his belly." This idiom carries a strongly derogatory connotation and is mostly used to describe hypocrites who say one thing and mean another, presenting one face in public and another behind people's backs. In terms of usage, it is often employed in political struggles, workplace competition, or interpersonal dealings to remind people to be on guard against those who appear friendly on the surface but actually harbor evil designs. It emphasizes a duality of hypocrisy and danger, revealing both the complexity of human nature and the high value placed on honesty and integrity in traditional Chinese culture.
📝 Example
1. He flatters you in every possible way on the surface, but secretly does you harm behind your back—he is truly a hypocritical villain with honey on his lips and a sword in his heart. (Describing someone who speaks sweetly but is vicious at heart, two-faced and deceitful.)
2. In the workplace, beware of colleagues who have honey on their lips and a sword in their heart; they may praise you to your face but secretly report you to the boss behind your back. (Referring to people who appear friendly on the surface but are treacherous inside.)