馬うまの足あし

expression, noun

horse's legs; minor actor playing a horse's legs

Literally 'horse's legs'. Idiomatically refers to a low-ranking actor in traditional theater who plays the rear legs of a stage horse, and by extension any minor or untalented performer relegated to such roles.

• 彼かれはまだ駆かけ出だしで、舞ぶ台たいでは馬うまの足あしをやっている。

  He's still a novice and plays the horse's legs on stage.

• 馬うまの足あし役やくから這はい上あがって、ついに主しゅ役やくを射い止とめた。

  He worked his way up from playing the horse's legs and finally landed the lead role.