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Proverbs & idioms
592 entries
Japanese proverbs (ことわざ), four-character idioms (四字熟語), and idioms — from JMdict.
Proverbs
Four-character idioms
Idioms
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集中砲火
しゅうちゅうほうか
intense criticism
雷が落ちる
かみなりがおちる
to be yelled at (by someone of higher status); to be scolded harshly
鞍上人なく鞍下馬なし
あんじょうひとなくあんかうまなし
riding a horse so skillfully that it appears as if man and horse have become one
頂門の一針
ちょうもんのいっしん
painful reproach; a needle in one's scalp
頤で人を使う
あごでひとをつかう
to set someone to work in an arrogant fashion; to push someone around
頬をつねる
ほおをつねる
to pinch one's cheek (to make sure one isn't dreaming, esp. upon hearing good news, experiencing something fortunate, etc.)
頭がいっぱい
あたまがいっぱい
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being preoccupied with; being obsessed; only thinking of; having only ... on one's mind
頭が下がる
あたまがさがる
to admire greatly; to salute (in admiration); to take one's hat off to
頭が痛い
あたまがいたい
racking one's brains; troubling over something
頭の上の蠅も追えない
あたまのうえのはえもおえない
completely helpless; unable even to drive away the flies on one's own head
頭ひとつ抜ける
あたまひとつぬける
to be clearly ahead of the competition; to stand out noticeably above one's rivals; to stand out from the crowd
頭角を現す
とうかくをあらわす
to distinguish oneself; to stand out
頭隠して尻隠さず
あたまかくしてしりかくさず
burying one's head in the sand (while leaving other parts of one's body exposed); exposing one's weak point while attempting to protect oneself; hiding one's head without hiding one's bottom
顔を揃える
かおをそろえる
to all be in attendance (at a meeting, etc.); to all gather together
飛んで火に入る
とんでひにいる
rushing to one's doom
飛んで火に入る夏の虫
とんでひにいるなつのむし
rushing to one's doom; (like a) moth flying into the flame
飯の食い上げ
めしのくいあげ
losing one's means of livelihood
飯を食う
めしをくう
to make a living; to earn one's bread
首が回らない
くびがまわらない
being over one's head (in debt, etc.); being up to one's neck (in debt)
首の皮一枚
くびのかわいちまい
still having a very small chance; still having a tiny shred of hope
首をもたげる
くびをもたげる
to rise into importance; to gain strength; to raise one's head
首を洗って待つ
くびをあらってまつ
to wait for one's punishment; to wait before one gets what's coming to one; to wash one's neck and wait (i.e. for one's beheading)
馬の背を分ける
うまのせをわける
to rain on one side only (and leave the other side dry)
馬脚を現す
ばきゃくをあらわす
to reveal one's true nature; to show one's true colours; to give oneself away; to be exposed (of a lie, etc.)
騎虎の勢い
きこのいきおい
having no choice but to carry on; having no choice but to go on; being unable to change one's course of action; (with the) momentum of (a man) riding a tiger
驥尾に付す
きびにふす
to succeed by following the lead of an expert; to get ahead by following someone's lead
骨になる
ほねになる
to die; to become bones
骨に刻む
ほねにきざむ
to engrave in one's heart; to inscribe on one's bones
骨を埋める
ほねをうずめる
to make (somewhere) one's final home; to make (a place) one's final resting place; to do (something) for the rest of one's life; to devote (the rest of) one's life to (something)
骨を惜しむ
ほねをおしむ
to spare oneself (the trouble)
骸骨を乞う
がいこつをこう
to tender one's resignation
高嶺の花
たかねのはな
prize beyond one's reach; unattainable object; woman who is out of one's league; flower on a high peak
鬼になる
おにになる
to harden one's heart; to steel oneself; to be ruthless
鬼のいぬまに洗濯
おにのいぬまにせんたく
playing while the cat is away; taking a break while the boss is out; doing what one wants when one is (finally) alone; relaxing while the demon is out
魔女の一撃
まじょのいちげき
strained back; lower back pain
鴨が葱を背負って来る
かもがねぎをしょってくる
along comes a sucker just begging to be parted from his money; a duck comes carrying a Welsh onion on its back
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
鶏群の一鶴
けいぐんのいっかく
a swan among ducklings; a diamond among stones; a great figure among the common run of men
鶴の一声
つるのひとこえ
final word; voice of authority; authoritative pronouncement
鼎の軽重を問う
かなえのけいちょうをとう
to call someone's ability into question; to doubt a ruler's competence
鼻の下を伸ばす
はなのしたをのばす
to have a lewd look on one's face; to ogle
鼻を明かす
はなをあかす
to outwit; to get the better of; to leave (an opponent) dumbfounded; to expose (someone's) nose