呑どん舟しゅうの魚うお

expression, noun

fish large enough to swallow a boat; colossal fish

Literal meaning of the Chinese-derived idiom; refers to an unimaginably huge fish. Used in classical or literary contexts.

• 「呑どん舟しゅうの魚うお」という言こと葉ばは、舟ふねを丸まるごと飲のみ込こむほどの巨きょ大だいな魚うおを表あらわす。

  The phrase 'don-shū no uo' refers to a fish so huge it could swallow a whole boat.

expression, noun

great man; notorious man

Figurative use: a person of extraordinary scale or influence, often with a negative or notorious connotation. Rare and idiomatic.

• 彼かれは政せい界かいの呑どん舟しゅうの魚うおとも言いうべき大おお物ものだ。

  He is a giant in the political world, one might say a 'don-shū no uo'.