みこしを据すえる

み

こ

し

を

す

え

る

Meanings

1

expression, ichidan verb

ensconce oneself; settle down comfortably; plant oneself

idiomatic expression

Idiomatic expression literally meaning 'to set down one's portable shrine', used humorously or emphatically when someone plops down and refuses to move, often in a chair or seat.

彼かれはソファにみこしを据すえて、動うごこうとしなかった。
He ensconced himself on the sofa and wouldn't budge.

会かい議ぎ室しつの一いち番ばんいい席せきにみこしを据すえて、ずっと居い座すわっていた。

He planted himself in the best seat in the meeting room and stayed there the whole time.

Written forms

みこしを据すえる
Standard kana-mixed spelling; the kanji 据える is used for 'to place/set'.
御み輿こしを据すえる
Kanji spelling using 御輿 for みこし; less common and may be seen in more formal or literary contexts.

Kanji

据set, lay a foundation, install
御honorable, manipulate, govern
輿palanquin, bier, public opinion

Similar words

居い座すわる
居座る means 'to stay on' or 'to remain in a position' without the humorous, emphatic nuance of みこしを据える, which vividly likens the person to a heavy portable shrine being set down.
腰こしを据すえる
腰を据える means 'to settle down' in a more neutral or determined sense (e.g., to commit to a task or place), while みこしを据える is more colloquial and often implies a stubborn or self-satisfied settling in.

Etymology

From みこし (portable shrine) + を + 据える (to set down). The image is of someone plopping down heavily like a portable shrine being set in place, implying they are not going to move easily.