眉まゆに唾つばを塗ぬる

expression, godan verb (-ru)

be on one's guard; keep one's wits about one; be wary

Idiomatic expression meaning to stay alert and not be deceived; literally 'to put saliva on one's eyebrows', from the folk belief that spitting on one's eyebrows wards off foxes and badgers that trick people.

See also: 眉に唾をつける

• 彼かれの話はなしはうますぎるから、眉まゆに唾つばを塗ぬって聞きいたほうがいい。

  His story sounds too good to be true, so you'd better listen with a grain of salt.

• ネットの情じょう報ほうには眉まゆに唾つばを塗ぬってかかれ。

  Take online information with a pinch of salt.