真ま綿わたで首くびを絞しめる

expression, ichidan verb

torment by slow degrees; torture slowly; drag things out; reproach in a roundabout way

Idiomatic expression meaning to cause suffering gradually and indirectly, like strangling someone with soft silk floss. Often used for psychological pressure, prolonged criticism, or slow, insidious torment. The literal image is of a slow, silent strangulation.

• 彼かれは真ま綿わたで首くびを絞しめるような嫌いやがらせを続つづけた。

  He kept up a harassment that was like slow torture.

• その質しつ問もんは真ま綿わたで首くびを絞しめるように彼かの女じょを追おい詰つめた。

  The question cornered her like a slow, tightening noose.