JLPT N1Idioms
眉に唾をつける
- Meaning
- だまされないように用心する
- Explanation
- "眉に唾をつける" means to be cautious so as not to be deceived. It derives from the folk belief that one smeared saliva on the eyebrows to avoid being bewitched by foxes or raccoon dogs, and is used when doubting suspicious information, as in "眉唾(まゆつば)物の話 (a dubious story)." Note that c2 "そのまま信用する (believe it as is)" is the opposite attitude.
Original Japanese explanation
「眉に唾をつける」はだまされないように用心する意。狐や狸に化かされぬよう眉に唾を塗ったという俗信に由来し、「眉唾(まゆつば)物の話」のように怪しい情報を疑う場面で使う。c2「そのまま信用する」は逆の態度なので注意。
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