釘くぎを刺さす

く

ぎ

を

さ

す

Meanings

1

expression, godan verb (-su)

give a warning; remind firmly; caution in advance

idiomatic expression

Idiomatic expression meaning to warn someone or give a firm reminder so that they won't forget or make an excuse later. The literal image is of driving in a nail to fix something in place.

彼かれには前まえもって釘くぎを刺さしておいた。
I gave him a warning in advance.
遅ち刻こく

し

ない

よう

に

と

釘くぎ

を

刺さ

さ

れ

た

。

I was firmly reminded not to be late.

Written forms

釘くぎを刺さす
Standard kanji spelling for the idiomatic meaning.
釘くぎをさす
Common kana-mixed variant; さす is often written in kana for the idiomatic sense.
クギを刺さす
Katakana spelling of 釘; occasionally seen for emphasis or in informal writing.

Kanji

釘nail, tack, peg
刺thorn, pierce, stab

Similar words

警けい告こく
警告 is a formal warning or caution, while 釘を刺す is a more colloquial, idiomatic way of giving a firm reminder or warning.
注ちゅう意い
注意 is a general word for caution, advice, or attention. 釘を刺す implies a stronger, more pointed reminder to prevent future problems.

Etymology

Literally 'to drive in a nail'. The idiom comes from the image of fixing something firmly with a nail, metaphorically meaning to give a strong warning or reminder that cannot be easily ignored.