This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

蛇に噛まれて朽ち縄に怖じる

蛇に咬まれて朽ち縄に怖じる、 蛇に噛まれて朽縄に怖じる、 蛇に噛まれて朽縄におじる、 蛇にかまれて朽縄におじる

Reading

Kana: へびにかまれてくちなわにおじる
Romaji: hebinikamaretekuchinawaniojiru
Kana
Romaji

Definition

exp
1

once bitten twice shy; to become over cautious from a bad experience; to be bitten by a snake and thus fear a rotten rope (which resembles a snake)

Kanji

Readings: ジャ、 ダ、 イ、 ヤ、 へび
Meanings: snake, serpent, hard drinker
Readings: コウ、 ゴウ、 か.む、 か.じる
Meanings: chew, bite, gnaw
Readings: キュウ、 く.ちる
Meanings: decay, rot, remain in seclusion
Readings: ジョウ、 なわ、 ただ.す
Meanings: straw rope, cord
Readings: フ、 ホ、 こわ.い、 こわ.がる、 お.じる、 おそ.れる
Meanings: dreadful, be frightened, fearful
Readings: コウ、 ヨウ、 か.む
Meanings: bite, gnaw, chew, gear with, dash against