expression, ichidan verb
infuriate one's superior; incur the boss's wrath
Idiomatic expression meaning to provoke the anger of someone in a higher position, especially a boss or superior. The phrase originates from a Chinese legend about a dragon's reverse scale that, when touched, enrages the dragon.
社長の逆鱗に触れて、彼は左遷された。
He incurred the president's wrath and was demoted.
あの一言が部長の逆鱗に触れたらしい。
That one remark seems to have touched a nerve with the department head.
expression, ichidan verb
offend the Emperor; incur the Imperial wrath
Original, literal meaning from Chinese legend: to touch the reverse scale on a dragon's throat, thereby enraging it. In Japanese historical context, it refers to offending the Emperor. Now largely replaced by the figurative sense 1.
古い文献では、臣下が帝の逆鱗に触れることを恐れたと記されている。
Old texts record that retainers feared incurring the Imperial wrath.