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苦杯をなめる (くはいをなめる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, ichidan verb
drink a bitter cup ; have a bitter experience ; suffer a defeat
idiomatic expression
Idiomatic expression for enduring a humiliating or painful setback, often in competition or conflict. The literal image is of drinking from a bitter cup.
交こう
渉しょう
の
場ば
で
苦く
杯はい
を
なめる
こと
も
ある
。
Sometimes you have to swallow a bitter pill in negotiations.
Written forms 苦く 杯はい をなめる
Common kana-mixed spelling; the verb なめる is often written in kana in this idiom.
苦く 杯はい を 舐な める
Kanji spelling for なめる; less common but still seen.
苦く 杯はい を 嘗な める
Rare kanji variant for なめる; mostly in older or literary texts.
Kanji 杯 counter for cupfuls, wine glass, glass Etymology The idiom combines 苦杯 (bitter cup) with なめる (to lick/taste), figuratively meaning to endure a bitter experience. The exact origin is uncertain, but it likely derives from the metaphor of drinking something unpleasant.
