tail and fins
Literal meaning: the tail and fins of a fish.
Cut off the tail and fins of the fish.
Figurative use: adding made-up details to a story or rumor, making it more interesting or dramatic. Often used in the phrase 尾ひれが付く (to be embellished).
His story has been embellished.
The rumor spread with exaggerations added.
Common mixed kanji-kana spelling. Clear and easy to read.
Full kanji spelling. Less common but still seen, especially in formal or literary contexts.
Mixed kanji-katakana spelling. Sometimes used for emphasis or in informal writing.
Compound of 尾 (お, 'tail') and 鰭 (ひれ, 'fin'). The figurative sense comes from the idea of adding extra parts to a story, like adding fins to a tail.