小こ刀がたな細ざい工く

noun

knife carving; small knife work

Refers to delicate carving or handiwork done with a small knife, often as a craft or hobby.

• 祖そ父ふは小こ刀がたな細工ざいくが得とく意いで、木きの箸はしをよく作つくっていた。

  My grandfather was good at knife carving and often made wooden chopsticks.

noun

cheap trick; petty stratagem

Figurative use: a small, cunning scheme or trick, often with a negative connotation of being underhanded or trivial.

• 彼かれの言いい訳わけは小こ刀がたな細工ざいくに過すぎない。

  His excuse is nothing more than a cheap trick.