Idioms

The Japanese idioms people say most: set phrases that don’t mean what the words say, like atama ni kuru (it comes to my head: I’m furious) or saba o yomu (count the mackerel: fudge the numbers), plus the sayings and four-character phrases heard in everyday talk.

365 idioms in 86 chunks, chosen by how often people say them, and ordered into four stages that run alongside the main list’s stages. Each chunk is a short page; use Next at the bottom of each page.

Stages

Stage 1 · 90 idiomsTell someone to knock it off, say you're angry or not in the mood, offer or ask for help, call people kind, clever or loose-lipped, say something makes no sense, and talk about luck, bad times and getting fired.

Stage 2 · 92 idiomsSay you're at your wit's end or shaken up, call people skilled, immature or easygoing, point out hypocrisy, say what's too much to handle, and talk about who you click with, who's a burden and getting the short end.

Stage 3 · 91 idiomsSay you feel better or need to cool off, describe stubborn or two-faced people, let things go or hold a grudge, keep a secret, and talk about being busy, hunches, getting carried away and wasted effort.

Stage 4 · 92 idiomsSay you're down, embarrassed or moved, talk about couples, connections and who's under whose thumb, call out lies and say you warned them, and say whether a gamble or a purchase was worth it.

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Cuts1872 candidates that didn’t make the list, with the reason for each.

Topics

Feelings & temper

1. Enough alreadyStage 1ii kagen ni shite knock it off, that's enoughkanben shite give me a break, spare mejoudan ja nai no way, you've got to be kiddingkatte ni shite fine, do what you wantni mo hodo ga aru (X) is going way too far
2. Getting angryStage 1hara ga tatsu get angry, be annoyedatama ni kuru get mad, be furiouski ni kuwanai don't like, rubs you the wrong waykatto naru snap, lose one's tempermunakuso warui sickening, leaves you disgustedkachin to kuru be irritated (by a remark)
3. In the moodStage 1ki ga kawaru change your mindki ga susumanai be reluctant, not keenki ga noranai not in the moodki ga muku feel like doing itki ga hikeru feel bad about doing it
4. At wit's endStage 2ki ga kuruisou it's driving me crazytohou ni kureru be at a total lossyake ni naru act recklessly out of despairiki ga tsumaru feel stifled, suffocatingiyake ga sasu get fed up, be sick of it
5. Shock and nervesStage 2kimi ga warui creepy, gives you the creepskokoro no junbi ga dekiru be emotionally readyshinzou ni warui gave me a scare, too nerve-rackingatama ga masshiro ni naru your mind goes blank
6. Feeling betterStage 3ki ga sumu be satisfied, feel it's settledki ga raku feel relieved, at easeki ga magireru be distracted from worrieski ga hareru feel better, the gloom liftskata no ni ga oriru feel relieved of a burden
7. Cooling offStage 3atama o hiyasu cool off, calm downmuki ni naru get worked up, take it too seriouslykata no chikara o nuku relax, stop trying so hard
8. Pride, envy, gloatingStage 3zamaa miro serves you right, ha!hana ga takai be proud (of someone)ii kimi serves them rightyakimochi o yaku be jealous (over someone's affection)
9. Feeling downStage 4ki ga meiru feel down, find it depressingki ni yamu fret over it, take it to heartki o otosu lose heart, be discouragedki ga omoi dread it, not look forward to it
10. EmbarrassmentStage 4kao ni deru your feelings show on your facekimari ga warui feel awkward, sheepishmimi ga itai it stings to hear (because it's true)ana ga attara hairitai so embarrassed I want to disappear
11. MovedStage 4mune ga itamu it pains me, it breaks my heartgutto kuru be moved, it really gets youmune ga ippai overwhelmed with emotion

What people are like

1. Kind or nastyStage 1ki ga kiku thoughtful, attentive; (of a remark or gift) clever, apthito ga ii good-natured and trusting (often too much so)tachi ga warui nasty, vicious, hard to deal withhito ga warui sly, mean (in a teasing way)
2. Talk and secretsStage 1kuchi dake all talk, no actionkuchi ga katai can keep a secret, discreetkuchi ga warui sharp-tongued, blunt to the point of rudekuchi ga karui can't keep a secretkuchi ga umai smooth-talking, good with words (often of flattery or sales talk)
3. Smart or crazyStage 1atama ga okashii crazy, out of one's mindatama ga kireru sharp, quick and incisiveatama no kaiten ga hayai quick-witted, a fast thinkernomikomi ga hayai a quick learner
4. Skill and judgementStage 2miru me ga nai be a poor judge (of people or things)ude ga ii skilled at one's tradenukeme ga nai shrewd, never misses a chanceyouryou ga ii savvy, gets things done the smart way
5. ImmatureStage 2jibun katte selfish, only thinks of oneselfii toshi shite at your age (you should know better)yuujuu fudan indecisive, can't make up one's mindmikka bouzu someone who gives up after a few days
6. In a groupStage 2ippiki ookami a loner who goes their own waykimae ga ii generous (with money or treats)kokoro ga hiroi tolerant, forgiving, lets things gonori ga ii game for anything, fun to be aroundmendoumi ga ii caring, good at looking after people
7. StubbornStage 3kiku mimi o motanai refuse to listen, won't hear a word of itakirame ga warui won't give up, can't let goiji o haru be stubborn out of prideyuuzuu ga kikanai inflexible, by-the-book, won't make exceptionsatama ga katai rigid, inflexible in one's thinking
8. Hidden sideStage 3mikake ni yoranai not what you'd guess from lookshito ga kawaru turn into a different personharaguroi scheming behind a nice faceneko o kaburu put on a sweet, innocent actne wa ii good at heart (despite appearances)
9. Tastes and likenessStage 4kuchi ni au suit one's taste (food or drink)shou ni au suit one's nature, be one's thingnita mono doushi alike in character (two people)uri futatsu look exactly alikejuunin toiro everyone's different (tastes, opinions)
10. Proud or humbleStage 4ue kara mesen condescending, talking downmie o haru put on a front, try to look better off than you arekoshi ga hikui humble and polite in manner
11. TemperStage 4ki ga tsuyoi strong-willed, feistyki ga hayai jumping the gun, getting ahead of oneselfki ga yowai timid, faint-heartedki ga mijikai short-tempered, impatientoshi ni yowai caves in when pushed

Getting on with people

1. Lending a handStage 1te o kasu help out, give someone a handchikara ni naru be there for someone, helpchikara o kasu lend your support, help (with something big)chikara o awaseru pull together, join forces
2. Dealing with peopleStage 1iu koto o kiku do as you're told, obeyaite ni suru deal with, take on (an opponent); (negative) ignore, not bother withkuchi o kiku speak to someone, be on speaking termsate ni suru count on, rely on
3. Butting inStage 1te o dasu hit, lay a finger on; get into (drugs, stocks); make a move on (someone)kuchi o dasu butt in, meddle (with unasked-for opinions)yokei na osewa none of your businesskubi o tsukkomu poke your nose in, get mixed up in
4. Owing favoursStage 1kari ga aru owe someone a favourokotoba ni amaete I'll gladly take you up on thatisshou no onegai please, I'm begging you (just this once)on ni kiru I owe you big, I'm really grateful
5. Having someone's backStage 2ki ni kakeru be concerned about, look out for (someone)senaka o osu encourage someone to go for itkata o motsu take someone's side
6. Squaring upStage 2dotchi mo dotchi both as bad as each othershitta kotcha nai not my problem, I couldn't care lessnanisama no tsumori who do you think you arekenka o uru pick a fight, provoke
7. Clicking and fancyingStage 2ki ga au get along, click with someoneki ga aru be into someone, fancy someoneki o hiku catch someone's attention or interest (often romantic)myaku ari there's a chance (they like you back)
8. Being a burdenStage 2ashi o hipparu hold others back, let the team down; (deliberately) drag someone downsewa ga yakeru be a handful, need constant looking afterashidematoi ni naru be a burden, slow others downshirinugui o suru clean up someone else's mess
9. Letting things goStage 3nakatta koto ni suru pretend it never happenedoome ni miru let it slide, go easy on someonemizu ni nagasu forgive and forgeturamikko nashi no hard feelings, whoever wins
10. Bad bloodStage 3ki o waruku suru take offense, feel hurtki ni sawaru offend, get on someone's nervesteki ni mawasu make an enemy of, turn (someone) against youne ni motsu hold a grudge
11. At a get-togetherStage 3kao o dasu drop by, show upohiraki ni suru call it a night, wrap up (a party)mizu o sasu put a damper on, spoil the mood
12. Close and distantStage 3kokoro o hiraku open up (to someone)kyori o oku keep your distance, take time apartaka no tanin a complete strangerkaya no soto left out of the looptanin gyougi too formal, distant (with someone close)yoso wa yoso, uchi wa uchi other families do as they like; we do it our way
13. Who you knowStage 4kao ga hiroi know lots of peopleen o kiru break off with, disownen ga aru be meant to be, have a connectionseken wa semai it's a small world
14. CouplesStage 4issen o koeru cross the line, go too far; (of two people) sleep togetheryori o modosu get back together (with an ex)futamata o kakeru two-time, date two people at oncekenka suru hodo naka ga ii fighting just shows how close you are
15. Reading peopleStage 4aite no mi ni naru put yourself in the other person's placekuuki o yomu read the mood, pick up on the vibekaoiro o ukagau watch someone's mood, anxiously try to stay on their good sideishin denshin understanding each other without words
16. Under someone's thumbStage 4goma o suru suck up to, flatterkigen o toru humour someone, keep them happyatama ga agaranai owe someone too much to stand up to themshiri ni shikareru be bossed around by your wife

Talking & listening

1. Saying itStage 1kuchi ni suru mention, say (aloud); (formal) eat or drinkiu made mo nai needless to say, it goes without saying; (X wa iu made mo naku) not to mention Xkuchi ni dasu say out loud, put into words, mention
2. HearingStage 1mimi ni suru hear (about), come acrossmimi o kasu heed, give someone a hearing (mostly 'won't listen'); lean in so I can whispermimi ni hairu reach someone's ears, get word ofkomimi ni hasamu happen to hear, catch wind of
3. About the talkStage 1hanashi ga chigau that's not what we agreed; that's a different matterhanashi ni naranai hopeless, not even worth discussinghanashi wa betsu that's a different storyhanashi ga hayai that makes it easy, that saves explaining
4. Wrong wordsStage 2baka iwanaide don't be silly, don't talk nonsensekotoba no aya just a figure of speech, not meant literallykokoro ni mo nai koto o iu say things you don't meanengi demo nai don't say such ominous things, perish the thought
5. Straight or softStage 2hanashi o tsukeru settle it by talking to someone, sort it out with themmen to mukatte to someone's facetantou chokunyuu straight to the pointhara o watte hanasu talk frankly, have a heart-to-heartoburaato ni tsutsumu say something harsh gentlymi mo futa mo nai brutally blunt, put so baldly there's nothing left to say
6. Look who's talkingStage 2yoku iu yo you've got some nerve, look who's talkingkotchi no serifu that's my line; I should be the one saying thatii dokyou shiteru you've got some nerve (usually a sarcastic warning)tana ni ageru ignore one's own faults while criticising othershito no koto ienai I'm not one to talk, I'm no better myself
7. SecretsStage 3koko dake no hanashi between you and mekuchi ga suberu let something slipshira o kiru play dumb, pretend not to knowhakaba made motte iku keep a secret to the grave
8. Conversation flowStage 3kuchi o hasamu butt in, put in one's two cents (in talk or matters that aren't yours)uwasa o sureba speak of the devilhanashi no koshi o oru interrupt and derail what someone is sayingma ga motanai can't fill the silence, run out of things to say
9. Warned youStage 4nen o osu make sure by telling someone again, stress, remind firmlyiwan kotcha nai I told you sokugi o sasu warn someone firmly in advancemimi ni tako ga dekiru heard it a million timeskuchi o suppaku shite iu tell someone over and over
10. Lies and big talkStage 4ooguchi o tataku talk big, brag about what you'll domakka na uso a complete lieuso mo houben a white lie is sometimes neededhanashi o moru exaggerate a storysaba o yomu fudge numbers (esp. one's age)
11. Comebacks and digsStage 4kechi o tsukeru find fault with, knockippon torareta you got me therehitokoto ooi always says one thing too manyguu no ne mo denai have no comeback at allaa ieba kou iu always has a comeback

Effort, ease & difficulty

1. Giving it everythingStage 1isshou kenmei as hard as one can, with all one's mightnani ga nandemo no matter what, at all costskiai o ireru get fired up; put real effort intoshinu ki de all-out, as if your life depended on it
2. Work and breaksStage 1yama hodo aru there's tons of ithitoiki tsuku take a breather, have a short breakkiri ga nai there's no end to itkiri ga ii at a good stopping point; a nice round number
3. Learning a skillStage 2mi ni tsukeru pick up (a skill or habit); wearte o tsukeru start on (a task); touch (food); dip into (money)kotsu o tsukamu get the knack, get the feel of itkabe ni butsukaru hit a wall, stop making progresschiri mo tsumoreba yama to naru small amounts add up
4. Against the clockStage 2atto iu ma in no time, over in a flashjikan o kasegu stall for timeshiri ni hi ga tsuku finally feel the pressure of a deadline
5. Too much to handleStage 2te ni oenai more than one can handle, out of controlhaadoru ga takai daunting, too much to take onni ga omoi be too big a responsibilityha ga tatanai be no match for, can't crack ittachiuchi dekinai can't compete with, can't stand up to
6. Not right nowStage 3te ga hanasenai be tied up, can't step away nowte ippai have your hands full, at full capacitysore dokoro ja nai no time for that; far from itte ga aku be free (not tied up), have a spare moment
7. Keeping your nerveStage 3sono ki ni naru warm to the idea; get carried away, take it seriouslyyareba dekiru you can do it if you tryyowane o haku say you can't take it, talk of giving upkokoro ga oreru lose the will to keep going
8. Slacking offStage 3chuuto hanpa half-done, half-heartedki o nuku let your guard down, ease offte o nuku slack off, cut corners
9. Hard work or easyStage 4hone ga oreru be hard work, take a lot of effortte ga kakaru need a lot of looking afterte ga konde iru be elaborate, made with real careoyasui goyou no problem, happy to helpasameshi mae easy, no trouble at all
10. SwampedStage 4karada ga motanai (my) body can't take it, I won't last at this ratete ga mawaranai can't get around to itme ga mawaru be dizzy; be crazy busyneko no te mo karitai be desperately busy

Noticing & the mind

1. Having an ideaStage 1kokoroatari ga aru have an idea who, why or wherekentou mo tsukanai have no idea at allhyaku mo shouchi know perfectly well
2. Eyes on itStage 1me o hanasu take your eyes off (someone)me o tsukeru have your eye on; single someone outme ni tsuku catch the eye, stand outkugizuke ni naru be glued to (a screen, a sight)me o hikaraseru keep a sharp eye on
3. Doesn't add upStage 1wake ga wakaranai makes no sense at all, bafflingsuji ga tooru make sense, be fair and logicaltsujitsuma ga awanai it doesn't add upnani ga nan da ka wakaranai have no idea what's going onfu ni ochinai can't quite accept it, doesn't sit right
4. Not yourselfStage 2dou ka shiteru be out of one's mind, not be oneselfatama ga mawaranai can't think straightdou iu kaze no fukimawashi what's brought this on? (someone acting out of character)
5. Careful or carelessStage 2me o toosu look over, read throughamaku miru underestimate, take lightlyki o kubaru be attentive; look out for othersni no tsugi comes second, low prioritykangae ga amai be naive, not think it through
6. Mind elsewhereStage 2atama kara hanarenai can't stop thinking about itki ga chiru get distracted, can't focuski o torareru be distracted by, have your mind on something elseatama ga ippai can think of nothing else, preoccupieduwa no sora miles away, not really listening
7. Looking awayStage 3me o tsuburu turn a blind eye, overlookme o somukeru look away from, refuse to facemite minu furi o suru pretend not to see, look the other waytoudai moto kurashi you overlook what's right next to you
8. Hunches and surprisesStage 3ki no sei just your imaginationomoi mo yoranai never imagined, totally unexpectedyume ni mo omowanakatta never imagined, never dreamedmushi no shirase a premonition (that came true)me kara uroko a revelation that changes your view
9. Fair pointStage 3muri mo nai no wonder, it's understandableichiri aru have a pointii sen itteru close, on the right track
10. Comes to mindStage 3pin to kuru it clicks, it rings a bellatama ni ukabu come to mindme ni ukabu can just picture itnodo made dekakatteru on the tip of my tongue
11. Obvious or hiddenStage 4ura ga aru there's a catch, a hidden motiveme ni mieteru it's obvious what will happenoku ga fukai has real depth, more to learnichimoku ryouzen obvious at a glancekao ni kaite aru it's written all over your face
12. Believing itStage 4ma ni ukeru take it at face value, take it seriouslyunomi ni suru believe without questionsono te ni wa noranai I won't fall for thathanshin hangi only half believing it
13. Can't resistStage 4me ga nai be crazy about, can't resistme ga kuramu be blinded (by money, greed)kuse ni naru be addictive, hard to stopkyoumi shinshin dying to know, intensely curious

Luck, trouble & outcomes

1. Gains and windfallsStage 1te ni ireru get hold of, obtainte ni hairu be obtainable, come into one's handsisseki nichou two benefits from one actionnegatte mo nai better than you could have hoped for, most welcometanabota an unexpected windfall
2. A rough timeStage 1hidoi me ni au have an awful timeitai me ni au get hurt; get burned (pay for a mistake)share ni naranai it's no joke, it's seriously badma ga warui bad timing, an awkward momentfundari kettari one bad thing after another
3. Out of a jobStage 1kubi ni naru get fired, lose one's jobkubi ni suru fire someoneashi o arau go straight, quit a shady life
4. Making a moveStage 2te o utsu take action; settle for (a price or compromise)hoka ni te ga nai there's no other waysente o utsu act first, get in before the other sidesaki o kosareru someone beats you to ithayai mono gachi whoever gets there first wins
5. The short endStage 2hame ni naru end up having to do something unpleasantomou tsubo exactly what they wantnureginu o kiseru falsely accuse, pin it on someonebinbou kuji o hiku be the one who loses out, get stuck with the worst job or the raw deal
6. Comes back on youStage 2jigou jitoku you brought it on yourselftsuke ga mawatte kuru past neglect or excess catches up with youboketsu o horu dig your own grave, shoot yourself in the footbachi ga ataru be punished by heaven, get bad karmaurame ni deru backfire
7. Getting carried awayStage 3choushi ni noru get carried away, get cockyhame o hazusu let loose, go overboardii ki ni naru get full of yourselfma ga sashita something came over me (a sudden lapse)
8. Closing the matterStage 3keri o tsukeru settle it, put an end to itikken rakuchaku case closed, that's sortedkejime o tsukeru take proper responsibility; draw a clear line
9. All for nothingStage 3mizu no awa all for nothing, wastedtorikaeshi ga tsukanai can't be undone, irreversiblebou ni furu throw away (a chance, a career, years)furidashi ni modoru be back to square oneato no matsuri too late to do anything
10. Bound to happenStage 3jikan no mondai only a matter of timeni no mai a repeat of an earlier failure (someone else's, or last time's)nido aru koto wa sando aru if it happened twice, it'll happen againsandome no shoujiki the third try will be the onesaru mo ki kara ochiru even experts make mistakes
11. Taking a gambleStage 4damemoto nothing to lose by tryingichi ka bachi ka take the gamble, all or nothingabunai hashi o wataru take a big (often shady) riskumai hanashi a sweet deal, an easy-money offer (usually doubted)
12. Whatever happensStage 4sono toki wa sono toki we'll deal with it if it happensnaru you ni naru things will work out somehowkekka oorai it worked out in the end, so fine
13. Close callsStage 4yama o koeru get past the worstkiki ippatsu a very close callkami hitoe a razor-thin differencefukouchuu no saiwai the one lucky part of a bad situation
14. Worth the moneyStage 4wari ni awanai not worth it, doesn't paybaka ni naranai (costs) really add upmoto o toru recoup what you paidsuzume no namida a pitifully small amount (usually of money)

Reading an entry

• The headword is the plain form (te o kasu); polite is its desu/masu form.
• Literally is what the words say (“lend a hand”); Means is what people mean by it (“help out”). When English has a close idiom, it’s under the meaning.
• Heard is how many times the idiom came up in 3.17 million lines of Japanese film and TV subtitles. Idioms too rare in films to count were chosen on a native speaker’s judgement.
• Main list links the versatility-list words the idiom builds on, with the stage they’re taught in.