爪つめの垢あかを煎せんじて飲のむ

expression, godan verb (-mu)

learn from someone's example; take a lesson from a role model

Idiomatic expression literally meaning 'to boil the dirt under someone's fingernails and drink it'; used to express the idea of emulating a superior person's good qualities or habits, often with a humble or admiring tone.

• 成せい功こう者しゃの爪つめの垢あかを煎せんじて飲のむつもりで、毎まい日にち努ど力りょくしている。

  I work hard every day, determined to learn from the example of successful people.

• 彼かれの爪つめの垢あかを煎せんじて飲のめば、少すこしはましになるかもしれない。

  If you take a lesson from his example, you might improve a little.