瓜田李下

Chinese

melon patch
simp. and trad.
(瓜田李下)
瓜田 李下
variant forms 李下瓜田
Literally: “under a plum tree or in a melon patch”.

Etymology

Originates from a longer proverb 瓜田不納履,李下不整冠瓜田不纳履,李下不整冠 (guātián bù nà lǚ, lǐxià bù zhěng guān), literally "do not put on shoes in a melon field; do not adjust your hat under a plum tree", advising one to avoid suspicion.

Pronunciation


Idiom

瓜田李下

  1. a position that invites suspicion; liable to lay oneself open to suspicion; be found in a suspicious position; in suspicious circumstances or surroundings
  2. an idiom advising one to avoid suspicious situations, even under innocuous circumstances
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