漿しょうを乞こいて酒さけを得うる

expression

to get more than one requests; to beg for water and receive wine

Idiomatic expression meaning that one receives something far better than what was asked for. The literal image is begging for water (a modest request) but being given wine (a generous response).

• 彼かれはただの助じょ言げんを求もとめただけなのに、全ぜん面めん的てきな支し援えんを得えた。まさに漿しょうを乞こいて酒さけを得うるだ。

  He only asked for advice, but he received full support. It was truly a case of begging for water and receiving wine.