'唯利是图' is a classical four-character idiom (chengyu) meaning 'solely profit-driven' or 'motivated only by profit.' Literally, it breaks down as 唯 ('only'), 利 ('profit' or 'gain'), 是 (a grammatical particle that marks the object in classical Chinese), and 图 ('to seek' or 'to pursue'). The structure '唯...是...' is an archaic object-fronting pattern, so '唯利是图' literally means 'only profit is sought' — emphasizing exclusivity and moral indifference to ethics, relationships, or consequences.

This idiom carries strong negative connotations and is commonly used to criticize businesses, individuals, or institutions that prioritize financial gain above all else — especially at the expense of honesty, safety, fairness, or social responsibility. It appears frequently in news reports, opinion essays, and formal speech, rarely in casual conversation. Because of its literary tone and critical weight, it's often paired with words like '公司', '商人', or '行为' to highlight unethical conduct.