Proverbs & idioms

Japanese proverbs (ことわざ), four-character idioms (四字熟語), and idioms — from JMdict.

• 骨折り損のくたびれ儲けほねおりぞんのくたびれもうけgoing through great pains in vain
• 骨肉の争いこつにくのあらそいfamily quarrel
• 骸骨を乞うがいこつをこうto tender one's resignation
• 鬼になるおにになるto harden one's heart; to steel oneself; to be ruthless
• 鵜の目鷹の目うのめたかのめeyes of a predator; sharp eyes; keen eyes; vigilant attention; eyes of a cormorant, eyes of a hawk
• 鼻が利くはながきくto have a good nose (for bargains, something amiss, etc.); to have a keen nose; to have an ability to quickly uncover things
• 鼻の下が長いはなのしたがながいsoft on women; weak for women; easily charmed (by women)