Yomi いいだしっぺ Rōmaji iidashippe Type idiom Meaning a person who proposes a plan or idea first Synonym 発案者 Additional Info The last character ペ is said to come from 屁 (へ, “fart”) and allude to the fact that a person who says, “Did someone fart?” is usually the culprit. It’s usually used when you state that a person who proposes something first should take the lead and become in charge of it. This concept is called “言い出しっぺの法則” (“The law of iidashippe“) and there is even a Wikipedia article for it; however, this term itself is not commonly used in a conversation. Example 彼が言い出しっぺなんだから、彼が飲み会の幹事をやるべきだ。Since he is the person who brought up…Read More

Yomi くびをながくしてまつ Rōmaji kubi o nagaku shite matsu Type idiom Literal Meaning to make one’s neck long and wait Meaning to wait for something longingly Synonym 今か今かと待ちわびる Additional Info It figuratively describes how you wait for someone or something longingly and your neck feels as if stretching out to them. Example アマゾンで注文(ちゅうもん)したゲームを首を長くして待っている I’ve been longingly waiting for the game I ordered on Amazon.Read More

Yomi おきにいく Rōmaji oki ni iku Type idiom Literal Meaning to go and put Meaning to take a secure and passable route (and avoid doing something challenging or risky); to play it safe Synonym 安全牌をとる Antonym 挑戦する, 冒険する, 危ない橋を渡る, リスクを取る Additional Info Originally, it’s a baseball term that means “to pitch a slow ball so that you can surely get a strike (as if one puts an egg on the strike zone)”. If you’re unfamiliar with baseball, imagine those who throw a ball very slowly in bowling, almost putting it on a lane. Example あの会社(かいしゃ)は最近(さいきん)似(に)た商品ばかり作って置きに行っていると批判(ひはん)されている That company has been recently criticised for making similar products only and playing it too safe….Read More