motive

base motive

Motivation for some action or actions that is guided by selfishness or moral depravity. It is clear now that his decision to marry into her wealthy family was led purely by base motives. I don't believe the defendant had any base motives in this case. I think she was well-intentioned but naïve about the repercussions of her actions.
See also: base, motive
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

ulterior motive, an

A hidden purpose, a secret reason for saying or doing something. The adjective ulterior originally meant “beyond” or “more distant,” a usage taken from the Latin and dating from the mid-1600s. Less than a century later it began to be used more specifically to mean “beyond what is said or evident.” It then was combined with several nouns—ulterior intentions, ulterior designs, ulterior purpose. Its frequent combination with motive is more recent.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • base motive
  • marry below (one's) station
  • marry below (oneself)
  • in character
  • in/out of character
  • no good deed ever goes unpunished
  • unpunished
  • loaves and fishes
  • no good deed goes unpunished
  • No good deed goes unpunished.
References in classic literature
"It means that robbery was one of the motives for the crime."
The Mystery of the Yellow Room
While I acknowledge that I was not strong enough to keep my motives above the reach of this instinct of revenge, I can honestly say something in my own favour on the other side.
The Woman in White
Perhaps he reflected on his motives; but it seemed to me that his conscience could be nothing else but a monstrous thing which very few actions could disturb appreciably.
Arrow of Gold
Miami, FL, August 30, 2019 --(PR.com)-- Miami artist Fly Stoner Motive inspires supporters with exclusive listening event.
Rapper Hosts Album Release Event at Luxury Movie Theater
I'd like to suggest that there may be an ulterior motive.
Ulterior motive in buying Greenland
It is targeting new business in the region after partnering up with Sharjah-based Motive FZE, part of Boyndiebased Motive Offshore Group.
Rooster looks for a lift in the Gulf; OIL&GAS
Regarding sources of evidence for concurrent and predictive validity, and similarly to those found with alcohol, it seems that each marijuana motive type relates differently to cannabis outcomes (Simons et al., 1998).
Development and Validation of the Marijuana Motives Measure Short Form/Desarrollo y validacion de la version breve del cuestionario de motivos de consumo de marihuana (MMM SF)
'What is the motive?' Lacson asked on Thursday at the Kapihan sa Senado forum where Acierto's report linking former presidential adviser Michael Yang and Allan Lim to the drug trade was discussed.
Acierto's motive 'suspect,' says Lacson
Motive Partners has announced it has completed the acquisition of Dun & Bradstreet as part of an investor group led by CC Capital, Cannae Holdings, Bilcar, LLC, Black Knight, Inc., and funds affiliated with Thomas H.
Motive Partners finalizes investment in Dun & Bradstreet
Captain Jack Pearson Possible motive: Old smoothie Jack is retiring - though not when it comes to the ladies.
Cruising for trouble..
Colleen Possible motive: The acid-tongued OAP makes no friends on board.
Cruising for trouble.... Take part in our Death on the Tyne Sweepstake game advertising feature
Possible motive: Still waters can run deep especially on a cruise ship.
Cruising for trouble; Take part in our Death on the Tyne Sweepstake game
13 December 2018 - US and UK-based investment firm Motive Partners has signed an agreement to acquire a controlling interest in financial technology provider Finantix, the firm said.
Motive Partners Acquires Majority Stake in Financial Technology Provider Finantix
APPENDIX B: WIDESPREAD MOTIVE STANDARDS BY DOMAIN 1170
The Jurisprudence of Mixed Motives