二ふた股また膏こう薬やく

also: ふたまたごうやく

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Meanings

noun

double-dealer; timeserver; fence-sitter

yojijukugo (four-character idiom)

Refers to a person who opportunistically switches allegiance between two opposing sides for personal gain. Often used in political or business contexts. The image is of a plaster (膏薬) that can stick to either leg (二股).

彼かれは二ふた股また膏こう薬やくのような政せい治じ家かだ。
He is a double-dealing politician.
あの男おとこは二ふた股また膏こう薬やくで、どちらの派は閥ばつにもいい顔かおをする。
That guy is a timeserver, trying to stay in good with both factions.