冷ひや飯めし

noun

cold rice; leftover rice

Literally rice that has cooled down, often implying leftovers. Can be used neutrally or with a nuance of something unappealing.

• 冷ひや飯めしを温あたためて食たべた。

  I warmed up the cold rice and ate it.

• 冷ひや飯めしに味み噌そ汁しるをかけると美味おいしい。

  Pouring miso soup over cold rice is delicious.

noun

hanger-on; dependent; freeloader

Only with reading ひやめし

Abbreviation of 冷や飯食い. Refers to someone who lives off others, often with a negative connotation of being a burden or unwanted guest. Restricted to reading ひやめし.

See also: 冷や飯食い (ひやめしくい)

• 彼かれは親しん戚せきの家いえで冷ひや飯めしを食くっている。

  He's freeloading at his relatives' house.

noun

disgraced former actor; washed-up performer

Only with reading ひやめし

Specific to the entertainment world: an actor or performer who has fallen from grace and is no longer in demand. Restricted to reading ひやめし.

• あの元もとスターも今いまでは冷ひや飯めしだ。

  That former star is now a has-been.