Definition
招摇撞骗 is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'to swindle by flaunting a false identity'. The first two characters 招摇 mean 'to show off / to flaunt', and 撞骗 means 'to swindle / to cheat'. Together it describes someone who pretends to be a VIP, official, or expert in order to deceive others for money or favors. You can use it as a verb phrase (often as predicate or attributive) in formal or written contexts.
f.e.
to swindle by posing as a person of authority or influenceto bluff and cheat
Examples
- ，招摇撞骗，。Tā màochōng gāoguān, dàochù zhāo yáo zhuàng piàn, piàn le bù shǎo qián.He impersonated a high-ranking official, swindling everywhere and cheating a lot of money.
- 招摇撞骗，。Zhège fànzuì tuánhuǒ zhuānmén zhāo yáo zhuàng piàn, shòuhài zhě dàduō shì lǎonián rén.This criminal gang specializes in swindling by posing as VIPs, and most of the victims are elderly people.
- ，招摇撞骗。Jǐngfāng tíxǐng shìmín, bú yào qīngxìn nàxiē zhāo yáo zhuàng piàn de piànzi.The police remind citizens not to trust those swindlers who bluff and cheat.
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