play tricks
It is a Chinese idiom. Pinyin is m á NSH é NN ò nggu ǐ, which means to deceive others and make trouble behind their back. From a dream of Red Mansions by Cao Xueqin in Qing Dynasty.
The origin of Idioms
The 20th chapter of Cao Xueqin's a dream of Red Mansions in Qing Dynasty: "you protect him again! I don't know if you're cheating on me! "
Idiom usage
As a predicate; of deception
Examples
You can't lie to me by playing tricks.
play tricks
Pick up the gorgeous fragrance - zhāi yàn xūn xiāng
itself is only a trifle , but conveys deep affection - qiān lǐ é máo
A bird knows the ambition of a swan - yàn què ān zhī hóng hú zhī zhì