A while back, I shared the newsletter “Have a Good Command of Idioms! 10 Idioms with 手” where we explored 10 useful 手-related idioms.
This time, let’s dive into 足 (foot/leg) idioms!
These expressions are commonly used in both everyday conversations and professional settings, making them a great addition to your language skills.
1. 足が棒になる (あしがぼうになる)
Literal meaning: Your legs become like sticks.
Real meaning: To be extremely tired from walking or standing for too long.
Example 1:
一日中観光して、足が棒になってしまった。I was sightseeing all day, and my legs are completely worn out.
Example 2:
マラソン大会の後、足が棒になって動けなかった。After the marathon, my legs were so tired I couldn’t move.
2. 足を引っ張る (あしをひっぱる)
Literal meaning: To pull someone’s leg.
Real meaning: To hold someone back or sabotage their efforts.
Example 1:
チームの足を引っ張らないように頑張ります。I’ll do my best not to hold the team back.
Example 2:
彼の遅刻がプロジェクトの足を引っ張った。His tardiness slowed down the project.
3. 足元を見る (あしもとをみる)
Literal meaning: To look at someone’s feet.
Real meaning: To take advantage of someone’s weakness or vulnerability.
Example 1:
交渉の最中、業者が私の足元を見ようとしているのがわかった。During the negotiation, I could tell the vendor was trying to take advantage of me.
Example 2:
急いでいたから、足元を見られて高いチケットを買ってしまった。Because I was in a rush, I got taken advantage of and bought an expensive ticket.
4. 足が地に着く (あしがちにつく)
Literal meaning: Your feet touch the ground.
Real meaning: To be grounded, practical, or realistic.
Example 1:
彼は夢を追っているけど、ちゃんと足が地に着いているね。He’s chasing his dreams, but he’s still very grounded.
Example 2:
計画を立てる時は、足が地に着いた考え方が大切だ。When making plans, it’s important to think realistically.
5. 足を洗う (あしをあらう)
Literal meaning: To wash your feet.
Real meaning: To quit a bad habit or leave a questionable activity behind.
Example 1:
彼はギャンブルの世界から足を洗った。He washed his hands of the gambling world.
Example 2:
やっと悪い友達と縁を切って、足を洗えたよ。I finally cut ties with bad friends and turned over a new leaf.
6. 足が出る (あしがでる)
Literal meaning: The legs stick out.
Real meaning: To go over budget or exceed one’s financial limits.
Example 1:
旅行の計画を立てていたけど、予算が足りなくて足が出てしまった。 I was planning a trip, but I went over budget.
Example 2:
新しい家具を買ったら、予想以上に足が出てびっくりした。 When I bought new furniture, I was shocked to find I’d overspent.
7. 足が遠のく (あしがとおのく)
Literal meaning: The legs grow distant.
Real meaning: To visit a place less frequently or stop going altogether, often due to reluctance or lack of opportunity.
Example 1:
忙しくて、最近ジムから足が遠のいてる。 I’ve been so busy that I haven’t been to the gym lately.
Example 2:
あのカフェすごく好きなんだけど、うちからけっこう遠いからだんだん足が遠のいちゃったよ。I love that café, but since it’s pretty far from my place, I’ve been going there less and less.
8. 足がすくむ (あしがすくむ)
Literal meaning: Your legs freeze or shrink.
Real meaning: To be paralysed with fear or nervousness.
Example 1:
高所恐怖症だから、高いところに立つと足がすくんで動けなくなる。I have a fear of heights, so when I stand in high places, my legs freeze, and I can’t move.
Example 2:
プレゼンの直前は緊張して本当に足がすくんだよ。Right before the presentation, I was so nervous my legs were shaking.
9. 足を伸ばす (あしをのばす)
Literal meaning: To stretch out your legs.
Real meaning: To make a side trip or extend a journey to visit somewhere.
Example 1:
大阪に行ったついでに、京都まで足を伸ばした。While in Osaka, I made a side trip to Kyoto.
Example 2:
休暇中、有名な温泉までちょっと足を伸ばしてみようと思う。During the holiday, I’m thinking of popping over to a well-known hot spring.
10. 足が早い (あしがはやい)
Literal meaning: Your legs are quick.
Real meaning: Something that sells quickly or, for food, spoils quickly.
Example 1:
この店のケーキは足が早いから、すぐに売り切れちゃうんだよね。The cakes in this shop sell out quickly.
Example 2:
新鮮な魚は足が早いから、すぐに調理した方がいいよ。Fresh fish spoils quickly, so you’d better cook it soon.
Final Tip
Like 手 idioms, 足 idioms are widely used in Japanese conversations. Incorporating them into your speech will make you sound more fluent, expressive, and natural!
Why not pick two or three of these idioms to try in your next Japanese conversation or writing practice? I’d love to hear how you use them!
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