appear to be tough outwardly , be timid inwardly(wài lì nèi rěn)

appear to be tough outwardly , be timid inwardly

Chinese idiom, Pinyin is w à IL à n è IR à n, meaning tough on the surface but weak in the heart.

Idiom usage

Used as a predicate or attributive.

Examples

I look down on those villains who are domineering and aggressive.

Now it's hard to ride a tiger, so he has to say: "good! Let me do it

As you expected, the other side was tough on the outside and tough on the inside. As soon as we insisted, they gave in.

Don't be intimidated by his behavior. It's a show of being tough and weak. It's used to cover up your guilty heart.

But she's tough on the outside and noisy on weekdays. When it's really urgent, she's silent.

You don't think he's as fierce as a tiger. In fact, he's tough on the outside and tough on the inside. As soon as he sees the officer, he looks like a kitten!

Seeing that the situation was not good for him, he said: "this account will be calculated with you later!"

Chinese PinYin : wài lì nèi rěn