expression
Archaic, literary euphemism for a thief, originally from a Chinese anecdote. Not used in modern everyday speech.
古典では、泥棒を「梁上の君子」と呼ぶことがある。
In classical literature, a thief is sometimes called a 'gentleman on the beam'.
expression
Rare, humorous or euphemistic term for a mouse, likening it to a little thief on the beam. Very uncommon.
「梁上の君子」は、時にネズミの婉曲表現としても使われる。
'Gentleman on the beam' is also occasionally used as a euphemism for a mouse.