noun
going round in circles; game of cat and mouse; pointless back-and-forth
Describes a situation where two sides keep repeating the same actions without making progress, like a never-ending cycle. Often used for arguments, negotiations, or competitive situations.
値下げ交渉はいたちごっこで、結局最初の値段に戻った。
The price negotiation was a game of cat and mouse, and in the end we went back to the original price.
セキュリティ対策はいたちごっこだ。
Security measures are a never-ending back-and-forth.
noun
itachi-gokko; Edo-period children's hand game
Historical original meaning: a children's game from the Edo period where two players pinch each other's hands and stack them while chanting. Now rarely used in this literal sense.
江戸時代の子供たちはいたちごっこをして遊んだ。
Children in the Edo period played itachi-gokko.