我が田でん引いん水すい

noun

self-serving interpretation; arguing to suit oneself; drawing water to one's own field

A yojijukugo idiom. Literally 'drawing water to one's own rice paddy', used for interpreting facts, rules, or arguments in a way that benefits oneself. Often used critically.

• 彼かれの説せつ明めいは我が田でん引いん水すいで、都つ合ごうのいいことしか言いっていない。

  His explanation is self-serving; he only says what suits him.

• その解かい釈しゃくは我が田でん引いん水すいもいいところだ。

  That interpretation is a blatant case of twisting things to one's own advantage.