expression, noun
fiery chariot; hell-bound chariot
Buddhist term for the chariot that carries sinners to hell. Rare in everyday conversation; mainly encountered in religious or literary contexts.
See also: 火車
仏教の絵巻には、罪人を乗せた火の車が描かれている。
In Buddhist picture scrolls, a fiery chariot carrying sinners is depicted.
expression, noun
dire financial straits; desperate money troubles
Idiomatic expression for a severe financial pinch. Often used in the phrase 火の車だ or 火の車になる to describe a household, company, or budget that is barely scraping by.
失業してから家計は火の車だ。
Since losing my job, our household finances are in dire straits.
その会社の経営は火の車で、いつ倒産してもおかしくない。
The company's management is in such a desperate situation that it could go bankrupt at any time.