Literally means “to draw a pie”. Originates from the phrase 画饼充饥 which means to draw a pie to fulfill hunger, which is ultimately ineffective.

Most commonly used to describe when bosses give motivational but often empty speeches about working hard now at a loss for greater returns later, or when men convince women to stay in relationships by dangling marriage in front of her but ultimately never commiting.

If a boss always promises to give a raise after finishing the next project, but always has an excuse when asked for the raise, and has socially engineered everyone in the office to believe in him, then he can be called a 烙饼大师 (master pie baker).

Another example:

I (42F) always wanted to have children, but my boyfriend (40M) of 18 years keeps delaying it and I can’t afford to wait anymore

Reply: Your boyfriend doesn’t actually want children, he’s just been 画饼 and stringing you along with the promise of children so you’ll stick around. He wasted 18 years of your life.