腕に縒りをかける (Ude ni yori wo kakeru)

Literal Translation: “To twist one’s arm.”

Meaning and Usage:

  • 自分の力を最大限に発揮しようとがんばる事。(to put all one’s skill.)

Examples:

  • 誕生日には腕に縒りをかけた料理を作って上げるね。(I’m going to cook a special meal at your birthday.)
  • *It’s often used with ryori (cooking).

腕が鳴る (Ude ga naru)

Japanese idiom 'Ude ga naru'

Literal Translation: “One’s arm cracks.”

Meaning and Usage: 自分の力を示したくて落ち着かない事。(to be itching to put one’s skills to use.) . . . → Read More: 腕が鳴る (Ude ga naru)

後ろ髪を引かれる (Ushirogami wo hikareru)

Japanese idiom 'Ushirogami wo hikareru'

Literal Translation: “Hair on the back is pulled.”

Meaning and Usage: 残して行く人や物事が気になって、なかなか思いを断ち切れないこと。(to feel difficult to go on because one feels uneasy for people or things leave behind. ) . . . → Read More: 後ろ髪を引かれる (Ushirogami wo hikareru)

息が合う (Iki ga au)

Japanese idiom 'Iki ga au'

Literal Translation: “Breath matches.”

Meaning and Usage: 仕事やゲームなど何かをするとき一緒にする人たちの調子や気持ちがぴったりとあっていること。(to work well and smoothly at work, game, etc.) . . . → Read More: 息が合う (Iki ga au)

骨が折れる (Hone ga oreru)

Japanese idiom 'Hone ga oreru'

Literal Translation: “One’s bone is broken”

Meaning and Usage: (仕事などが)とても大変なであること。(Something is very hard to do.) . . . → Read More: 骨が折れる (Hone ga oreru)

舌を巻く (Shita wo maku)

Japanese idiom 'Shita wo maku'

Literal Translation: “To roll one’s tongue”

Meaning and Usage: とても驚いて感心すること。(To be astonished. To be speechless with admiration.) . . . → Read More: 舌を巻く (Shita wo maku)

肩を並べる (Kata wo naraberu)

Japanese idiom 'kata wo naraberu'

Literal Translation: “To put shoulders next to each other”

Meaning and Usage: 同じくらいの力を持つ。互角。(To have equal level on something.) . . . → Read More: 肩を並べる (Kata wo naraberu)

頭が下がる (Atama ga sagaru)

Japanese idiom 'atama ga sagaru'

Literal Translation: “One’s head falls down.”

Meaning and Usage: 相手の行動にとても感心して尊敬の気持ちが自然に起こること。(To admire and respect greatly by one’s behavior.) . . . → Read More: 頭が下がる (Atama ga sagaru)

汗水たらす (Asemizu tarasu)

Japanese idiom 'asemizutarasu'

Literal Translation: “To sweat a lot.”

Meaning and Usage: 一生懸命働く事。(To work really hard.) . . . → Read More: 汗水たらす (Asemizu tarasu)

尻に火がつく (Shiri ni hi ga tsuku)

Japanese idiom 'Shiri ni hi ga tsuku'

Literal Translation: “One’s butt is on fire.”

Meaning and Usage: 物事がさしせまって、落ち着いた気持ちでいられないこと。(To feel pressured and restless because something urgent is getting close.) . . . → Read More: 尻に火がつく (Shiri ni hi ga tsuku)