noun
bitter enemies in the same boat; strange bedfellows
A yojijukugo describing a situation where rivals or enemies are forced to be together or cooperate, often by circumstance. The phrase originates from the historical enmity between the ancient Chinese states of Wu and Yue.
See also: 呉越
ライバル会社の社員同士が呉越同舟でプロジェクトを進めている。
Employees from rival companies are working together on the project like bitter enemies in the same boat.
災害時には、普段は対立している人たちも呉越同舟で助け合うことがある。
In times of disaster, even people who are normally at odds may find themselves helping each other as strange bedfellows.