醉翁之意不在酒

zuìwēngzhīyìbùzàijiǔ
  1. wine-lover's heart is not in the cup (idiom); a drinker not really interested in alcohol
  2. having an ulterior motive
  3. to have other things in mind
  4. with an ax to grind
  5. accomplishing something besides what one set out to do

CEDICT

  1. (figuratively) to have an ulterior motive
  2. (figuratively) to have other intentions
  3. to have an ulterior motive
  4. to have other intentions

Wiktionary

本指喝酒时意不在酒，而在寄情山水，舒放心胸。语出宋．欧阳修〈醉翁亭记〉：「醉翁之意不在酒，在乎山水之间也。山水之乐，得之心而寓之酒也。」后比喻别有用心。如：「他娶那个富家女，其实是醉翁之意不在酒。说穿了！为的只是那笔财产。」

重編國語辭典

Entry Composition

1 醉翁 zuìwēng
  1. wine-lover
  2. drinker
  3. toper
  4. drunkard
2 之 zhī
  1. (possessive particle, literary equivalent of 的 de)
  2. him
  3. her
  4. it
3 意 yì
  1. idea
  2. meaning
  3. thought
  4. to think
  5. wish
  6. desire
  7. intention
  8. to expect
  9. to anticipate
4 不在 bùzài
  1. not to be present
  2. to be out
  3. (euphemism) to pass away
  4. to be deceased
5 酒 jiǔ
  1. wine (esp. rice wine)
  2. liquor
  3. spirits
  4. alcoholic beverage

classifiers: 杯, 瓶, 罐, 桶, 缸