外そと堀ぼり

そ

と

ぼ

り

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

outer moat

Refers specifically to the outer defensive moat of a Japanese castle. Also used metaphorically in phrases like 外堀を埋める (to gradually close in on an objective by first dealing with peripheral matters).

江え戸ど城じょうの外そと堀ぼりは今いまでは埋うめ立たてられている。
The outer moat of Edo Castle has been filled in today.
交こう渉しょうでは、まず外そと堀ぼりを埋うめるように小ちいさな合ごう意いから始はじめた。
In the negotiations, we started with small agreements, as if filling in the outer moat first.

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Usage patterns

〈場ば所しょ〉に外そと堀ぼりを巡めぐらすto build an outer moat around a place
城しろの周まわりに外そと堀ぼりを巡めぐらして敵てきの侵しん入にゅうを防ふせいだ。
They built an outer moat around the castle to keep out enemy forces.
外そと堀ぼりを渡わたるto cross the outer moat
兵へい士したちは舟ふねで外そと堀ぼりを渡わたって城しろに近ちかづいた。
The soldiers crossed the outer moat by boat to approach the castle.

Expressions

外そと堀ぼりが埋うまるobstacles are cleared; the way is paved
外そと堀ぼりを埋うめるremove obstacles in the way of one's objective; take an indirect approach