{ "name": "Japanese C2 Idioms & Collocations", "front_language": "Japanese", "back_language": "English", "cards": [ { "front": "木で鼻をくくる (ki de hana o kukuru)", "back": "to be curt / brusque", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "問い合わせに木で鼻をくくったような返事が来た。", "example_back": "A curt reply came to my inquiry." }, { "front": "眉に唾をつける (mayu ni tsuba o tsukeru)", "back": "to be skeptical / wary of being fooled", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "その話は眉に唾をつけて聞いたほうがいい。", "example_back": "You'd better take that story with a grain of salt." }, { "front": "二の舞を演じる (ni no mai o enjiru)", "back": "to repeat the same mistake", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "前任者の二の舞を演じるな。", "example_back": "Don't repeat your predecessor's mistake." }, { "front": "後塵を拝する (koujin o haisuru)", "back": "to lag behind / to be outdone", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "技術開発で他国の後塵を拝している。", "example_back": "We're lagging behind other countries in technology." }, { "front": "溜飲を下げる (ryuuin o sageru)", "back": "to feel satisfaction (at a rival's comeuppance)", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "判決を聞いて溜飲を下げた。", "example_back": "Hearing the verdict gave me satisfaction." }, { "front": "琴線に触れる (kinsen ni fureru)", "back": "to touch one's heartstrings", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "その言葉が私の琴線に触れた。", "example_back": "Those words touched my heartstrings." }, { "front": "逆鱗に触れる (gekirin ni fureru)", "back": "to incur someone's wrath", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "社長の逆鱗に触れた。", "example_back": "He incurred the president's wrath." }, { "front": "煮え湯を飲まされる (nieyu o nomasareru)", "back": "to be betrayed by someone trusted", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "信頼していた部下に煮え湯を飲まされた。", "example_back": "I was betrayed by a subordinate I trusted." }, { "front": "苦杯を喫する (kuhai o kissuru)", "back": "to suffer a bitter defeat", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "決勝で苦杯を喫した。", "example_back": "They suffered a bitter defeat in the final." }, { "front": "物議を醸す (butsugi o kamosu)", "back": "to cause controversy", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "collocations" ], "example_front": "大臣の発言が物議を醸した。", "example_back": "The minister's remark caused controversy." }, { "front": "警鐘を鳴らす (keishou o narasu)", "back": "to sound the alarm", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "collocations" ], "example_front": "専門家が温暖化に警鐘を鳴らす。", "example_back": "Experts sound the alarm about warming." }, { "front": "一石を投じる (isseki o toujiru)", "back": "to cause a stir / to raise an issue", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "collocations" ], "example_front": "その論文は学界に一石を投じた。", "example_back": "The paper caused a stir in academia." }, { "front": "一線を画す (issen o kakusu)", "back": "to draw a clear line / to distinguish oneself", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "collocations" ], "example_front": "従来の製品とは一線を画す。", "example_back": "It sets itself apart from previous products." }, { "front": "轍を踏む (tetsu o fumu)", "back": "to repeat another's mistake", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "先人の轍を踏まないように。", "example_back": "So as not to repeat our predecessors' mistakes." }, { "front": "白羽の矢が立つ (shiraha no ya ga tatsu)", "back": "to be singled out (chosen)", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "新プロジェクトのリーダーに彼女に白羽の矢が立った。", "example_back": "She was singled out to lead the new project." }, { "front": "お茶を濁す (ocha o nigosu)", "back": "to evade / to give a vague answer", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "質問をはぐらかしてお茶を濁した。", "example_back": "He dodged the question with a vague answer." }, { "front": "匙を投げる (saji o nageru)", "back": "to give up as hopeless", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "医者も匙を投げた。", "example_back": "Even the doctors gave up." }, { "front": "鎬を削る (shinogi o kezuru)", "back": "to compete fiercely", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "各社がシェア争いで鎬を削る。", "example_back": "Companies compete fiercely for market share." }, { "front": "辛酸を嘗める (shinsan o nameru)", "back": "to go through hardships", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "戦後、辛酸を嘗めた世代。", "example_back": "A generation that went through postwar hardships." }, { "front": "襟を正す (eri o tadasu)", "back": "to straighten up / to act with integrity", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "政治家は襟を正すべきだ。", "example_back": "Politicians should act with integrity." }, { "front": "臍を噛む (hozo o kamu)", "back": "to bitterly regret", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "今さら臍を噛んでも遅い。", "example_back": "It's too late for bitter regrets now." }, { "front": "顰蹙を買う (hinshuku o kau)", "back": "to incur disapproval", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "無神経な発言で顰蹙を買った。", "example_back": "He drew disapproval with his insensitive remark." }, { "front": "屋上屋を架す (okujou oku o kasu)", "back": "to duplicate needlessly", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "新たな委員会は屋上屋を架すだけだ。", "example_back": "A new committee would only be needless duplication." }, { "front": "人口に膾炙する (jinkou ni kaisha suru)", "back": "to be on everyone's lips", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "literary" ], "example_front": "人口に膾炙した名句。", "example_back": "A famous phrase on everyone's lips." }, { "front": "糊口をしのぐ (kokou o shinogu)", "back": "to eke out a living", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "翻訳で糊口をしのいだ。", "example_back": "He eked out a living translating." }, { "front": "間髪を容れず (kanhatsu o irezu)", "back": "instantly / without a moment's delay", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "間髪を容れず反論した。", "example_back": "He retorted instantly." }, { "front": "雌雄を決する (shiyuu o kessuru)", "back": "to fight it out / to decide the winner", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "決勝で雌雄を決する。", "example_back": "Fight it out in the final." }, { "front": "羹に懲りて膾を吹く (atsumono ni korite namasu o fuku)", "back": "once bitten, twice shy (overcautious)", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "proverbs" ], "example_front": "失敗を恐れすぎるのは羹に懲りて膾を吹くようなものだ。", "example_back": "Being too afraid of failure is being overly cautious after one bad experience." }, { "front": "李下に冠を正さず (rika ni kanmuri o tadasazu)", "back": "avoid giving cause for suspicion", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "proverbs" ], "example_front": "李下に冠を正さず、利害関係者との会食は控える。", "example_back": "Avoid suspicion: refrain from dining with stakeholders." }, { "front": "瓜田に履を納れず (kaden ni kutsu o irezu)", "back": "avoid acting suspiciously", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "proverbs" ], "example_front": "瓜田に履を納れずの心構えが大切だ。", "example_back": "It's important not to act in ways that invite suspicion." }, { "front": "過ぎたるは猶及ばざるが如し (sugitaru wa nao oyobazaru ga gotoshi)", "back": "too much is as bad as too little", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "proverbs" ], "example_front": "運動も過ぎたるは猶及ばざるが如しだ。", "example_back": "Even exercise: too much is as bad as too little." }, { "front": "雨垂れ石を穿つ (amadare ishi o ugatsu)", "back": "constant dripping wears away the stone", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "proverbs" ], "example_front": "雨垂れ石を穿つ、毎日の努力が実を結んだ。", "example_back": "Little by little, daily effort paid off." }, { "front": "燕雀安んぞ鴻鵠の志を知らんや (enjaku izukunzo koukoku no kokorozashi o shiran'ya)", "back": "small minds can't grasp great ambitions", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "proverbs" ], "example_front": "周囲に笑われても気にするな、燕雀安んぞ鴻鵠の志を知らんや。", "example_back": "Don't mind their laughter: small minds can't grasp great ambitions." }, { "front": "敵に塩を送る (teki ni shio o okuru)", "back": "to help one's rival in need", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "ライバル企業に技術提供するとは、敵に塩を送るようなものだ。", "example_back": "Sharing technology with a rival is like helping an enemy in need." }, { "front": "怪我の功名 (kega no koumyou)", "back": "a lucky accident / blessing in disguise", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "proverbs" ], "example_front": "道に迷ったのが怪我の功名で、名店を見つけた。", "example_back": "Getting lost was a blessing in disguise: we found a great restaurant." }, { "front": "漁夫の利 (gyofu no ri)", "back": "profiting from others' quarrel", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "proverbs" ], "example_front": "二大政党の争いで第三党が漁夫の利を得た。", "example_back": "A third party profited from the two big parties' fight." }, { "front": "背水の陣 (haisui no jin)", "back": "fighting with one's back to the wall", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "背水の陣で交渉に臨む。", "example_back": "Go into negotiations with no way back." }, { "front": "蟷螂の斧 (tourou no ono)", "back": "futile resistance against the mighty", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "literary" ], "example_front": "大企業に挑むのは蟷螂の斧かもしれない。", "example_back": "Taking on big business may be futile resistance." }, { "front": "鶏口となるも牛後となるなかれ (keikou to naru mo gyuugo to naru nakare)", "back": "better a big fish in a small pond", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "proverbs" ], "example_front": "鶏口となるも牛後となるなかれと考え、起業した。", "example_back": "Thinking \"better a big fish in a small pond,\" he started a business." }, { "front": "他山の石 (tazan no ishi)", "back": "a lesson from others' mistakes", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "他社の不祥事を他山の石とする。", "example_back": "Take another company's scandal as a lesson." }, { "front": "画餅に帰す (gabei ni kisu)", "back": "to come to nothing", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "計画は画餅に帰した。", "example_back": "The plan came to nothing." }, { "front": "烏合の衆 (ugou no shuu)", "back": "a disorderly mob", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "指導者のいない組織は烏合の衆だ。", "example_back": "An organization without leaders is a disorderly mob." }, { "front": "衣鉢を継ぐ (ihatsu o tsugu)", "back": "to carry on a master's legacy", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "literary" ], "example_front": "師の衣鉢を継ぐ。", "example_back": "Carry on one's master's legacy." }, { "front": "掌中の珠 (shouchuu no tama)", "back": "one's most treasured possession", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "literary" ], "example_front": "一人娘を掌中の珠のように育てた。", "example_back": "They raised their only daughter as their greatest treasure." }, { "front": "寝耳に水 (nemimi ni mizu)", "back": "a bolt from the blue", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "突然の解散は寝耳に水だった。", "example_back": "The sudden dissolution was a bolt from the blue." }, { "front": "焼け石に水 (yakeishi ni mizu)", "back": "a drop in the ocean", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "この程度の支援では焼け石に水だ。", "example_back": "Support at this level is a drop in the ocean." }, { "front": "立て板に水 (tateita ni mizu)", "back": "fluent / glib", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "彼は立て板に水のように話す。", "example_back": "He talks with great fluency." }, { "front": "青天の霹靂 (seiten no hekireki)", "back": "a bolt from the blue", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "literary" ], "example_front": "彼の辞任は青天の霹靂だった。", "example_back": "His resignation was a bolt from the blue." }, { "front": "紆余曲折 (uyo kyokusetsu)", "back": "twists and turns", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "collocations" ], "example_front": "紆余曲折を経て合意に至った。", "example_back": "After many twists and turns, they reached agreement." }, { "front": "是々非々 (zeze hihi)", "back": "judging each case on its merits", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "politics" ], "example_front": "是々非々の立場で臨む。", "example_back": "Take a case-by-case stance." }, { "front": "侃々諤々 (kankan gakugaku)", "back": "heated, outspoken debate", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "debate" ], "example_front": "侃々諤々の議論が続いた。", "example_back": "Heated debate continued." }, { "front": "喧々囂々 (kenken gougou)", "back": "uproar / clamor", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "debate" ], "example_front": "会場は喧々囂々となった。", "example_back": "The venue erupted in uproar." }, { "front": "慇懃無礼 (ingin burei)", "back": "polite to the point of insolence", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "慇懃無礼な対応に腹が立った。", "example_back": "Their excessively polite but insolent response angered me." }, { "front": "竜頭蛇尾 (ryuutou dabi)", "back": "strong start, weak finish", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "改革は竜頭蛇尾に終わった。", "example_back": "The reform started strong and fizzled out." }, { "front": "針小棒大 (shinshou boudai)", "back": "exaggeration", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "media" ], "example_front": "針小棒大な報道。", "example_back": "Exaggerated reporting." }, { "front": "大同小異 (daidou shoui)", "back": "essentially the same", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms" ], "example_front": "各党の公約は大同小異だ。", "example_back": "The parties' pledges are essentially the same." }, { "front": "用意周到 (youi shuutou)", "back": "thoroughly prepared", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "business" ], "example_front": "用意周到な計画。", "example_back": "A thoroughly prepared plan." }, { "front": "秋霜烈日 (shuusou retsujitsu)", "back": "stern / severe (authority)", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "law" ], "example_front": "秋霜烈日の検察官。", "example_back": "A stern prosecutor." }, { "front": "明鏡止水 (meikyou shisui)", "back": "serene, clear state of mind", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "psychology" ], "example_front": "明鏡止水の心境で試合に臨む。", "example_back": "Enter the match with a serene mind." }, { "front": "行雲流水 (kouun ryuusui)", "back": "going with the flow", "level": "C2", "tags": [ "idioms", "literary" ], "example_front": "行雲流水のごとく生きる。", "example_back": "Live going with the flow." } ] }