nán南guō郭chǔ处shì士
Someone who lacks true talent but pretends to be an expert and gets by, often by being part of a group; a charlatan or an impostor who fills a vacancy without qualification.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Synonym:
Story:
During the Warring States period, King Xuan of Qi was very fond of listening to the sheng (a wind instrument) played in chorus. Nan Guo, a lazy and gluttonous scholar, managed to sneak into the orchestra. He pretended to be an expert, swaying his head and looking knowledgeable, even though he knew nothing about playing.
Not long after, the old king died, and the new king preferred to listen to sheng solos. Nan Guo felt uneasy and guilty. Fearing that his deception would be exposed, he fled the palace overnight.