expression, i-adjective
without any weak spot; watertight; impeccable
Idiomatic expression describing something flawless, leaving no room for criticism or attack. Often used for arguments, plans, security, or performance.
彼の弁護は一分の隙もない完璧なものだった。
His defense was flawless, without any weak spot.
このセキュリティシステムは一分の隙もない。
This security system is watertight.
完璧 means 'perfect' in a general sense, while 一分の隙もない emphasizes the absence of any vulnerability or flaw, often in a defensive or logical context.
隙がない is a simpler, more common phrase meaning 'no opening' or 'no gap', used for both physical and abstract situations. 一分の隙もない is a stronger, more emphatic idiomatic expression.
Standard kanji spelling for this idiomatic expression.
Variant spelling using 部 instead of 分; considered irregular kanji usage but sometimes seen.
The phrase combines 一分 (いちぶ, 'one part') with 隙 (すき, 'gap, opening') and the negative ない, literally meaning 'not even a single gap'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it is a fixed idiomatic expression emphasizing absolute flawlessness.