出でる釘くぎは打うたれる

expression, ichidan verb

the nail that sticks out gets hammered down

Proverb warning that standing out or being different invites criticism or suppression. Often used to describe conformist social pressure in Japan.

See also: 出る杭は打たれる

• 日本にほんでは「出でる釘くぎは打うたれる」と言いって、目め立だつ行こう動どうを控ひかえるように教おしえられることがある。

  In Japan, people are sometimes taught to avoid standing out, as the saying goes, "the nail that sticks out gets hammered down."

expression, ichidan verb

tall trees catch much wind; excellence invites envy

A less common interpretation of the same proverb, emphasizing that those who excel may become disliked or targeted. Essentially the same underlying idea as sense 1, but with a different English gloss.

See also: 出る杭は打たれる

• 彼かれは仕し事ごとができるがゆえに妬ねたまれる。「出でる釘くぎは打うたれる」の典てん型けいだ。

  He is envied because he is competent at work. It's a classic case of "tall trees catch much wind."