IdiomDaily Life
Japanese
Japanese釘を刺す (kugi o sasu)
Meaning: To remind someone firmly so they can't back out.
Literally: To drive in a nail
Example: “遅刻しないように、上司は前もって釘を刺した。” — The boss warned us firmly in advance not to be late.
Origin: Driving in a nail secures a joint so it cannot slip. Kugi o sasu is warning someone or reminding them firmly so they cannot back out or forget. Its origin is usually linked to carpentry, but no particular story lies behind it.
More Japanese idioms
- 顔から火が出る (kao kara hi ga deru) To burn with embarrassment.
- 一石二鳥 (Isseki nichō) Getting two results from a single action.
- 目くそ鼻くそを笑う (Mekuso hanakuso o warau) Mocking someone else's faults without noticing you have the same ones.
- 労多くして功少なし (Rō ōkushite kō sukunashi) A lot of effort for very little result.
- 猫の手も借りたい (Neko no te mo karitai) I'm so busy I'll take help from anyone.
- 花より団子 (Hana yori dango) Substance over style; practicality over beauty.
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