外强中干 (wài qiáng zhōng gān) | Meaning: strong in appearance but weak in reality (idiom) | Chinese Idiom with Pinyin & Origin

soft on the inside despite one's hard shell · appearing tough on the outside as to mask one's inner vulnerability外刚内柔wài gāng nèi róu

lit. the heart of a sheep in the skin of a tiger (idiom) · fig. impressive in appearance but lacking in substance · braggart羊质虎皮yáng zhì hǔ pí

to collapse on the first encounter · to give way at once一触即溃yī chù jí kuì

lit. show strength while weak inside (idiom); appearing fierce while cowardly at heart · a sheep in wolf's clothing色厉内荏sè lì nèi rěn

strong in appearance but weak in reality (idiom)