石いしにかじりついても

い

し

に

か

じ

り

つ

い

て

も

Meanings

1

expression

come hell or high water; no matter what; at any cost

idiomatic expression

Idiomatic expression conveying strong determination to achieve something despite any difficulty. Often used with verbs of effort or perseverance.

石いしにかじりついても、このプロジェクトを成せい功こうさせたい。

I want to make this project succeed, come hell or high water.

彼かれは石いしにかじりついても大だい学がくを卒そつ業ぎょうすると決けっ心しんした。

He resolved to graduate from university no matter what.

Kanji

石stone
齧gnaw, nibble, munch

Related words

どうしても
A common adverb meaning 'no matter what' or 'by all means', but less vivid and idiomatic than 石にかじりついても.
何なにが何なんでも
Similar in meaning ('no matter what'), but 石にかじりついても carries a stronger image of clinging to a rock, emphasizing gritty determination.

Written forms

石いしにかじりついても
Common kanji-kana mixed spelling for this idiomatic expression.
石いしに齧かじりついても
Uses the less common kanji 齧る for かじる; still encountered but less frequent.

Etymology

Literally 'even if biting into a stone', this phrase evokes the image of clinging desperately to a rock, symbolizing unwavering resolve. The exact origin is uncertain, but it is a well-established idiomatic expression in modern Japanese.