“穴があれば（入りたい）”
Literal meaning: “If there were a hole (I’d get in it)”
Meaning in conversation: I’m embarrassed
Example:“I was walking around all day with a hole in my pants. If there was a hole…”
“さるもきからおちる”
Literal meaning: “Even monkeys fall off of trees”
Meaning in conversation: Even experts can make mistakes
Example:“The Oxford English Dictionary misspelled ‘broccoli?’ I guess even monkeys can fall off of trees.”
“あげあしをとる”
Literal meaning: “To grab a flying foot”
Meaning in conversation: To take advantage of someone’s mistakes (In Judo, one can make their opponent fall by getting their foot in the air)
Example:“That PR firm had a disastrous pitch and they made their client’s president look like an idiot! We can grab a flying foot and get their business!”
“あたまにくる”
Literal meaning: “Coming towards the head”
Meaning in conversation: To become upset or angry
Example:“I had such a bad day, and then when I got home the place was a mess. It was really coming towards the head then.”
“あわせるかおがない”
Literal meaning: “No face to show”
Meaning in conversation: Too ashamed to meet someone
Example:“I can’t meet your parents! I just got fired from my job and arrested by the police! I’ve got no face to show.”
“くちがかるい”
Literal meaning: “A light mouth”
Meaning in conversation: To be incapable of keeping a secret or sensitive information
Example:“Don’t tell him about the surprise party! He’s got a light mouth and will ruin it for the birthday girl!”
“こみみにはさむ”
Literal meaning: “Putting between the ears”
Meaning in conversation: To hear some gossip about something from someone
Example:“How’d you hear that I was going out with her?” “I ran into some people at school, and it was put between my ears.”
“てをぬく”
Literal meaning: “Pulling a hand out”
Meaning in conversation: To do a poor job
Example:“Look at this—shoddy painting, it leaks, and I don’t think I can get the engine started. He pulled a hand out when he built this car.”
“のどからてがでる”
Literal meaning: “A hand comes out of one’s mouth”
Meaning in conversation: To desperately want something
Example:“My son wants that new video game for Christmas so much, a hand was coming out of his mouth!”
