掛幌子

Simplified: 挂幌子

guàhuǎngzi ㄍㄨㄚˋ ㄏㄨㄤˇ ˙ㄗ

    • to use a respectable name as a cover
    • to put up a front
    • to display a sign openly

Character by character

Saying俗语俗語

Idiom惯用语 · Widely known

Literally
hang up a shop sign
Meaning
Either to let a sign or sign of something show openly, or, more often, to use a respectable name or excuse as a cover for doing something else. Critical when used in the second sense.

Sources