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足を引っ張る (あしをひっぱる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, godan verb (-ru)
hold back ; stand in the way of ; sabotage
idiomatic expression
Idiomatic expression meaning to obstruct someone's success or progress, often through criticism, lack of cooperation, or active interference. Can be used in personal, professional, or team contexts.
Let's prepare thoroughly so we don't drag the team down.
Kanji 足 leg, foot, be sufficient 張 counter for bows & stringed instruments, stretch, spread Similar words 妨さまた げる 妨げる is a more formal, direct verb meaning 'to obstruct' or 'to hinder', while 足を引っ張る is an idiomatic expression with a stronger nuance of undermining someone's efforts, often through indirect or petty means.
邪じゃ 魔ま する 邪魔する means 'to disturb' or 'to get in the way' in a general sense, whereas 足を引っ張る specifically implies pulling someone down or sabotaging their success, often from within a group.
Etymology Literally 'to pull someone's leg', this idiom figuratively means to hinder or sabotage someone. The exact origin is uncertain, but it likely derives from the physical act of grabbing and pulling a person's leg to trip them, metaphorically extended to obstructing progress.
