To have a good appearance but lack substance; merely an outward show; all show and no substance.
这家餐厅的装潢虽然豪华，但菜肴的味道却很普通，真是虚有其表。
Although this restaurant's decor is luxurious, the taste of its dishes is very ordinary; it's truly all show and no substance.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang highly regarded Su Tingshuo, the Minister of Public Works, because of his upright character and extensive knowledge. He then ordered the handsome and elegant Xiao Song to draft an imperial edict appointing Su Tingshuo as prime minister.
Emperor Xuanzong asked Xiao Song to modify the phrase "national treasure" to avoid using the character '之' (zhi), which was part of Su Tingshuo's father, Su Zhi's, name, in accordance with naming taboos. However, Xiao Song dared not make such a change, which angered Emperor Xuanzong, who then remarked that Xiao Song was truly all show and no substance (虚有其表).
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