揚あげ足あし取とる

expression, godan verb (-ru)

jump on someone's verbal mistake; trip someone up verbally; find fault with what someone says

Idiomatic expression; used when someone seizes on a minor slip in another person's words to criticize or embarrass them. Often implies nitpicking or unfair fault-finding.

See also: 揚げ足を取る

• 彼かれはすぐ人ひとの揚あげ足あしを取とるから、話はなしにくい。

  He's always jumping on people's verbal mistakes, so it's hard to talk to him.

• 揚あげ足あしを取とるような言いい方かたはやめてください。

  Please stop making remarks that trip people up.