くだを巻まく

expression, godan verb (-ku)

ramble drunkenly; babble in one's cups

Idiomatic expression for talking on and on in a drunken, often incoherent or complaining manner. The word くだ originally referred to a spool or tube, and the phrase evokes the image of unreeling thread endlessly.

• 酔よっ払ぱらって、彼かれはまたつまらないことをくだを巻まいていた。

  Drunk, he was rambling on about trivial things again.

• あの人ひとは酒さけが入はいるとすぐにくだを巻まき始はじめる。

  That person starts babbling drunkenly as soon as he has a drink.