そうは問とん屋やが卸おろさない

expression

things don't always go as planned; it's not that easy; the wholesaler won't sell it like that

Idiomatic expression meaning that things rarely work out as smoothly as one hopes, often used to temper expectations. The literal image is of a wholesaler refusing to sell goods at the buyer's desired price or terms.

• そんなにうまくいくと思おもったら大おお間ま違ちがいだ。そうは問とん屋やが卸おろさないよ。

  If you think it'll go that smoothly, you're mistaken. Things don't always work out that easily.

• 彼かれはすぐに昇しょう進しんできると考かんがえていたが、そうは問とん屋やが卸おろさなかった。

  He thought he'd get promoted quickly, but it wasn't that easy.