目めから鼻はなへ抜ぬける

expression, ichidan verb

very shrewd; highly intelligent; very smart

Idiomatic expression describing someone who is exceptionally quick-witted, perceptive, and clever, often with a nuance of being sharp enough to see through things instantly. Literally 'passing from the eyes to the nose', suggesting lightning-fast understanding.

• 彼かれは目めから鼻はなへ抜ぬけるような男おとこで、どんな策さく略りゃくもすぐに見み破やぶる。

  He is a man so shrewd that he sees through any scheme instantly.

• あの子こは目めから鼻はなへ抜ぬけるほど賢かしこいから、一いち度ど説せつ明めいすれば十じゅう分ぶんだ。

  That child is so highly intelligent that explaining once is enough.