lit. Xiang Zhuang performs the sword dance, but his mind is set on Liu Bang 刘邦(idiom, refers to plot to kill Liu Bang during Feast at Hongmen 鸿门宴in 206 BC); fig. an elaborate deception hiding malicious intent
后用来比喻言行表现与真实企图不一致,别立名目暗藏或暗示对某种人事的攻击和胁迫;殷勤的表面后面隐藏着杀机
比喻说话和行动的真实意图别有所指。同“项庄舞剑，意在沛公”
清·刘坤一《致张香涛书》：“［定兴］乃于署督篆任内，奏参银元局及淮山盐务，牵涉敝署，不无激射之词，论者谓为项庄舞剑，而弟因未尝稍存芥蒂也。”