呉ご越えつ同どう舟しゅう

noun

bitter enemies in the same boat; strange bedfellows

A yojijukugo describing a situation where rivals or enemies are forced to be together or cooperate, often by circumstance. The phrase originates from the historical enmity between the ancient Chinese states of Wu and Yue.

See also: 呉越

• ライバル会社がいしゃの社しゃ員いん同どう士しが呉ご越えつ同どう舟しゅうでプロジェクトを進すすめている。

  Employees from rival companies are working together on the project like bitter enemies in the same boat.

• 災さい害がい時じには、普ふ段だんは対たい立りつしている人ひとたちも呉ご越えつ同どう舟しゅうで助たすけ合あうことがある。

  In times of disaster, even people who are normally at odds may find themselves helping each other as strange bedfellows.