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鼻を明かす (はなをあかす) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, godan verb (-su)
outwit ; get the better of ; leave dumbfounded
idiomatic expression
Idiomatic expression meaning to outsmart someone, often by doing something unexpected that leaves them speechless or embarrassed. The literal image is 'exposing someone's nose', but it is used figuratively.
The veteran was left dumbfounded by the newcomer's performance.
Written forms 鼻はな を 明あ かす
Standard kanji spelling for this idiomatic expression.
鼻はな をあかす
Kana spelling of the verb part; less common but still seen.
Etymology The expression likely originates from the image of suddenly revealing someone's nose, which would be embarrassing or surprising, metaphorically extended to mean outwitting or humiliating someone. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.
