9 Japanese Idioms Using “足”
Table of Contents
1. Japanese Idioms Using “足”
2. Commonly Used Expressions
3. Business-Related Expressions
4. Expressions Describing States or Conditions
5. Summary
6. Similer Articles
7. Comment
Q: At work, my senior said “足が出る” , but I didn’t understand what it meant. I’d like to know other similar expressions if there are any.
A:Japanese has many idiomatic expressions that use parts of the body. Learning these idioms will make your communication richer and give your Japanese more depth and nuance. In this article, we introduce commonly used expressions that include the word “足”.
Commonly Used Expressions
[足を洗う]
Literally, this means “to wash dirty feet,” but as an idiom, it refers to leaving behind a dishonest or undesirable way of life and returning to a proper, respectable lifestyle.
[Meaning]
To quit wrongdoing or leave an undesirable job or way of living
[Examples]
良くない商売から足を洗って、今では介護施設で働いています。
He gave up shady business and now works at a care facility.
彼は若い頃は借金だらけの生活をしていたけど、足を洗って今では立派な経営者になりました。
In his younger days, he was buried in debt, but after turning his life around, he became a respectable business owner.
[足を引っ張る]
This expression literally describes pulling someone’s leg from behind. It is used to mean hindering another person’s progress or success. It’s commonly used in business and team settings.
[Meaning]
To obstruct someone’s progress or success
[Examples]
彼のプレーが、チームの足を引っ張っています。
His performance is holding the team back.
わたしのミスのせいで、プロジェクト全体の足を引っ張ってしまいました。
Because of my mistake, I ended up holding the entire project back.
Business-Related Expressions
[足が出る]
This idiom means that expenses exceed the planned budget or income. It is frequently used in contexts like accounting or project management.
[Meaning]
To spend more than the budget or income allows; to go into the red
[Examples]
思ったより費用がかかって、旅行の予算から足が出てしまいました。
The trip cost more than expected, and we ended up going over budget.
この施設の建設は予想以上に費用がかかって、数百万円も足が出たらしいよ。
The construction of this facility apparently cost much more than expected, resulting in a budget overrun of several million yen.
[足を運ぶ]
This expression adds the nuance of making a special effort or taking time to visit, compared to simply “going.” It is a polite phrase often used in business situations.
[Meaning]
To take the time and effort to go somewhere or visit someone
[Examples]
1時間もかけて足を運んだのに、入りたかった博物館は閉館日でした。
I took the time to go all the way there, but the museum I wanted to visit was closed that day.
（客に対して）お忙しい中、足を運んでいただきありがとうございます。
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to come all the way here.
Expressions Describing States or Conditions
[足が竦む]
This expression describes a state in which the body stiffens and the legs become immobile due to fear or extreme nervousness.
[Meaning]
To freeze up and be unable to move one’s legs due to fear or tension
[Examples]
高いビルの屋上に立ったとたん、足がすくんで一歩も動けなくなりました。
As soon as I stood on the rooftop of the tall building, my legs froze and I couldn’t take a single step.
大勢の人前でする初めてのコンサートに、緊張のあまり足がすくんでしまいました。
Before my first concert in front of a large audience, I was so nervous that my legs gave out.
[足が棒になる]
This phrase describes the condition of one’s legs becoming extremely tired after standing for a long time or walking continuously.
[Meaning]
To feel severe fatigue and heaviness in the legs from too much walking or standing
[Examples]
京都観光で町を一日中歩き回って、足が棒になりました。
I walked around the city all day while sightseeing in Kyoto, and my legs were completely worn out.
引っ越しの手伝いで重い物を運び続けて、足が棒になるほど疲れました。
I kept carrying heavy things while helping with the move, and I got so tired my legs felt like sticks.
[足が遠のく]
This expression describes the state of no longer going to a place one used to visit often, due to psychological or physical reasons. When referring to someone else, it is also said as “人の足が遠のく”.
[Meaning]
To stop going to a place that one used to visit frequently
[Examples]
両親が亡くなってから、故郷から足が遠のいてしまったなあ。
Since my parents passed away, I’ve stopped visiting my hometown.
隣の駅に大きなショッピングモールができてから、この町から人の足が遠のいています。
Ever since a big shopping mall was built at the next station, fewer and fewer people have been coming to this town.
[足が地に着かない]
The phrase “足が地に着かない” literally means “one’s feet aren’t touching the ground,” and it refers to a floating or unsettled state. It is used to describe someone who is either emotionally unsettled or lacking a sense of reality in their thoughts or behavior.
[Meaning]
① To feel restless due to nervousness or excitement
② To be flighty or unstable in one’s thoughts or actions
[Examples]
合格の知らせを見て、嬉しくて足が地に着かない気分だった。（①）
When I saw the notice of my acceptance, I was so happy I felt like I was floating on air.
そんな足が地に着かないような意見ばかり出していたら、この会議は終わりませんよ。（②）
If we keep bringing up such unrealistic and unfocused ideas, this meeting will never end.
[足に任せる]
This expression describes the act of walking or behaving without setting a specific goal, simply following one’s mood or instincts. It’s often used in the context of travel or strolling, where a sense of freedom fits well.
[Meaning]
To walk or act without a particular purpose, going wherever one feels like
[Examples]
地図も持たず足に任せて奈良の町を散歩しました。
I wandered through the streets of Nara, letting my feet guide me without even carrying a map.
旅行では予定も立てずに、足に任せるのも楽しいものです。
When traveling, it’s also fun to skip the plans and just go wherever your feet take you.
Summary
| Category | Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Commonly Used Expressions | 足を洗う | To leave behind wrongdoing or an undesirable job/lifestyle |
| 足を引っ張る | To hinder someone’s progress or success | |
| Business-Related Expressions | 足が出る | To exceed the budget or go into the red |
| 足を運ぶ | To take the time and effort to visit a place or person | |
| Expressions Describing States or Conditions | 足が竦む | To freeze up and be unable to move due to fear or nervousness |
| 足が棒になる | To feel extreme fatigue in the legs from walking or standing too long | |
| 足が遠のく | To stop going to a place that one used to visit frequently | |
| 足が地に着かない | ① To feel restless due to excitement or tension ② To lack grounding or be flighty in thought or behavior | |
| 足に任せる | To walk or act without a specific purpose, letting one’s feet take them wherever |
Similer Articles
- Must-Know for Foreigners Working in Japan: Do You Really Need a Hanko (Personal Seal)?
- Differences in Parts of Speech between Japanese and English②
- Differences in Parts of Speech between Japanese and English①
- Learning the Forms of Japanese from Classical Literature
- Idioms Using “頭” ② – Useful in Everyday Conversations
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