JLPT N1Proverbs
蛇足
- Meaning
- 必要のない余計な付け足し
- Explanation
- From the anecdote in which a person who quickly finished drawing a snake added unnecessary legs and thereby failed, it means an unnecessary addition that would be better left out. Contrary to c1 and c2, which view additions and extra drawing favorably, it is a caution akin to 「過ぎたるは及ばざるが如し」 (too much is as bad as too little).
Original Japanese explanation
蛇の絵を早く描き上げた者が余計な足まで描き足して失敗した故事から、なくてもよい余計な付け足しのこと。追加や描き込みを良しとする c1・c2 とは逆で、「過ぎたるは及ばざるが如し」に通じる戒めです。
Quick check
Choose the most appropriate meaning of what 「蛇足」 expresses.
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