冷ひや飯めしを食くう

expression, godan verb (-u)

depend on someone for food and lodging

Idiomatic expression literally meaning 'to eat cold rice', implying living off someone else's hospitality, often with a sense of being a burden or in a dependent position.

• 失しつ業ぎょう中ちゅうは兄あにの家いえで冷ひや飯めしを食くっていた。

  While unemployed, I depended on my older brother for food and lodging.

expression, godan verb (-u)

be treated coldly; be kept in a low position

Figurative extension of the 'cold rice' image: being given the cold shoulder, treated as unimportant, or kept in a subordinate role within a group or organization.

• 彼かれは会かい社しゃで長なが年ねん冷ひや飯めしを食くわされている。

  He has been kept in a low position at the company for many years.