犬いぬと猿さる

expression, noun

like cats and dogs; dogs and monkeys

Idiomatic expression referring to a very bad relationship, akin to 'fighting like cats and dogs'. Literally 'dogs and monkeys', based on the traditional Japanese view that dogs and monkeys are natural enemies. Often used in the phrase 犬猿の仲.

See also: 犬猿

• あの二人ふたりは犬いぬと猿さるの仲なかだ。

  Those two are like cats and dogs.

• 彼かれらは犬いぬと猿さるのようにいつも喧けん嘩かしている。

  They are always fighting like cats and dogs.