# 瓜田李下

guā tián lǐ xià

Circumstances that invite suspicion

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** In a melon field and beneath plum trees

**Register:** Cautious · formal

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Warn about appearances of impropriety.

Suspicious appearances are not proof of wrongdoing.

## Understanding the expression

In a field of fruit, an innocent movement may look like reaching to take something. The expression uses this ambiguity to discuss situations that invite suspicion. Modern examples involve private meetings, gifts, or decisions where personal ties make fairness difficult to see. The concern is appearance as well as conduct. Clear records and open procedures can reduce misunderstanding, but nobody should treat the phrase as proof that an accusation is true.

## Examples

评审期间收礼，难免瓜田李下。

### Traditional Chinese

評審期間收禮，難免瓜田李下。

píng shěn qī jiān shōu lǐ ， nán miǎn guā tián lǐ xià 。

Accepting gifts during judging invites suspicion.

她公开会面记录，避免瓜田李下。

### Traditional Chinese

她公開會面記錄，避免瓜田李下。

tā gōng kāi huì miàn jì lù ， bì miǎn guā tián lǐ xià 。

She published meeting records to avoid suspicious appearances.

亲戚参与投标，容易瓜田李下。

### Traditional Chinese

親戚參與投標，容易瓜田李下。

qīn qi cān yù tóu biāo ， róng yì guā tián lǐ xià 。

A relative's bid can create an appearance of impropriety.

他避开私下谈价，以免瓜田李下。

### Traditional Chinese

他避開私下談價，以免瓜田李下。

tā bì kāi sī xià tán jià ， yǐ miǎn guā tián lǐ xià 。

He avoided private price talks to prevent suspicion.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E7%93%9C%E7%94%B0%E6%9D%8E%E4%B8%8B)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=146&webMd=1&la=0)

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