空から手て形がた

noun

fictitious bill; dishonored bill; bad check

Literal financial term for a bill or check that cannot be honored, often because the issuer lacks funds or the document is fraudulent.

• その会かい社しゃは空から手て形がたを振ふり出だして、取とり引ひき先さきに迷めい惑わくをかけた。

  That company issued a bad check and caused trouble for its business partners.

noun

empty promise; hollow promise

Figurative use likening an unfulfilled promise to a worthless financial instrument. Common in expressions such as 空手形を切る or 空手形に終わる.

• 政せい治じ家かの選せん挙きょ公こう約やくは空から手て形がたに終おわることが多おおい。

  Politicians' campaign promises often end up as empty promises.

• 彼かれはまた空から手て形がたを切きっただけだ。

  He just made another hollow promise.