石橋を叩いて渡る (Ishibashi o tataite wataru)

Meaning: To be extremely, even excessively, cautious.

Language: Japanese

Literally: To tap a stone bridge before crossing

Category: Daily Life

Origin: Testing even a solid stone bridge by tapping it first pictures the height of prudence.

More idioms — Daily Life

• 釘を刺す (kugi o sasu) — To remind someone firmly so they can't back out.
• 班门弄斧 (bān mén nòng fǔ) — To display feeble skill before a true master.
• 名落孙山 (míng luò Sūn Shān) — To fail an examination.
• De dans ontspringen — To narrowly escape trouble.
• Att smita från notan — To dodge paying or shirk responsibility.
• Att sätta sig på tvären — To be obstinate and refuse to cooperate.

More Japanese idioms

• 顔から火が出る (kao kara hi ga deru) — To burn with embarrassment.
• 猫の手も借りたい (Neko no te mo karitai) — I'm so busy I'll take help from anyone.
• 猿も木から落ちる (Saru mo ki kara ochiru) — Even experts make mistakes.
• 花より団子 (Hana yori dango) — Substance over style; practicality over beauty.
• 猫をかぶる (Neko wo kaburu) — To hide one's true nature; to act innocent.
• 馬の耳に念仏 (Uma no mimi ni nenbutsu) — Wasted advice on someone who won't listen.

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