鼎かなえの軽けい重ちょうを問とう

expression, godan verb (-u, special)

question someone's ability; challenge a ruler's competence

Idiomatic expression derived from a classical Chinese story about the weight of a sacred tripod, symbolizing the authority of a ruler. Used to describe doubting or challenging someone's competence, especially a leader's.

• 彼かれのリーダーシップに疑ぎ問もんを持もつ者ものは、鼎かなえの軽けい重ちょうを問とうようなものだ。

  Those who doubt his leadership are essentially questioning his competence.