鯖を読む

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Japanese

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Kanji in this term
さば
Hyōgai

Grade: 2
kun'yomi
Alternative spelling
鯖を讀む (kyūjitai)
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Etymology

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From a supposedly common act of fishmongers who forge or misrepresent the amount of (mackerel) they sell in a bulk.

Verb

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(さば)() (saba o yomugodan (stem (さば)() (saba o yomi), past (さば)()んだ (saba o yonda))

  1. (idiomatic) manipulate figures to one's advantage, especially one's own age, height, or weight

Usage notes

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When used about age, it normally is about presenting oneself as younger than their actual age.

Derived terms

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