暖簾のれんに腕押うでおし

Meanings

futile effort; like pushing against a curtain

Idiomatic expression meaning that an action is pointless or has no effect, like pushing your arm against a shop curtain (暖簾) which just gives way. Often used when arguing or competing with someone who doesn't respond.

彼かれにいくら文もん句くを言いっても暖簾のれんに腕押うでおしだ。
No matter how much you complain to him, it's like pushing against a curtain.
あの上じょう司しと議ぎ論ろんしても暖簾のれんに腕押うでおしで、何なにも変かわらない。
Arguing with that boss is futile; nothing changes.

See all 5 example sentences ›

Kanji

暖warmth
簾bamboo screen, rattan blind
腕arm, ability, talent
押push, stop, check

Related words

糠ぬかに釘くぎ
Also means a futile effort, but specifically like driving a nail into rice bran—no resistance and no effect. 暖簾に腕押し emphasizes the lack of response from a person or situation.
豆とう腐ふに鎹かすがい
Literally 'a clamp on tofu', meaning an action that is completely ineffective. Similar in meaning but uses a different metaphor.

Built from

のれん+腕うで押おし

Written forms

暖簾のれんに腕押うでおし
Standard kanji spelling for this idiomatic expression.
のれんに腕うで押おし
Mixed kana-kanji spelling; the first part is often written in kana.

Etymology

From the image of pushing one's arm against a shop's entrance curtain (暖簾), which offers no resistance. The exact origin is uncertain, but it is a well-known Japanese idiom.