縄じょう墨ぼく

noun

inked marking string; standard

Refers to a carpenter's inked string used for marking straight lines, and by extension a standard or rule. The 'standard' sense is a figurative extension of the tool.

• 大だい工くは縄じょう墨ぼくを使つかって木もく材ざいに直ちょく線せんを引ひいた。

  The carpenter used an inked marking string to draw a straight line on the lumber.

• 彼かれの行こう動どうは社しゃ会かいの縄じょう墨ぼくから外はずれている。

  His behavior deviates from the standards of society.