知しらぬ顔かおの半はん兵べ衛え

expression, noun

feigned ignorance; pretending not to know

Idiomatic expression describing someone who acts as if they know nothing about a matter, often to avoid responsibility or involvement. The name 半兵衛 is a placeholder for a person; the phrase literally means 'Hanbei with an unknowing face'.

• 彼かれは知しらぬ顔かおの半はん兵べ衛えを決きめ込こんでいる。

  He is playing dumb, pretending not to know anything.

• あの人ひとはいつも知しらぬ顔かおの半はん兵べ衛えで、責せき任にんを取とろうとしない。

  That person always feigns ignorance and never takes responsibility.