勘かん定じょう合あって銭ぜに足たらず

expression

the accounts balance but the money is short; what works on paper doesn't always work in practice

A proverb meaning that even if calculations or plans seem correct in theory, the actual outcome may fall short. Often used when a budget or plan looks good on paper but fails in reality.

• 予よ算さん上じょうは黒くろ字じなのに、実じっ際さいの手て元もとにはお金かねがない。まさに勘かん定じょう合あって銭ぜに足たらずだ。

  On paper the budget is in the black, but there's no actual cash on hand. It's exactly a case of 'the accounts balance but the money is short.'