窮きゅう鼠そ猫ねこを噛かむ

expression, godan verb (-mu)

a cornered rat will bite a cat; despair gives courage to a coward

Proverb meaning that even a weak person will fight back fiercely when pushed into a corner. Often used to warn against driving someone to desperation.

• 彼かれをあまり追おい詰つめると、窮きゅう鼠そ猫ねこを噛かむということになりかねない。

  If you corner him too much, he might turn desperate and fight back like a cornered rat biting a cat.

• 弱よわい相あい手てでも、窮きゅう鼠そ猫ねこを噛かむで何なにをするかわからないから気きをつけて。

  Even a weak opponent might do something unexpected when cornered, so be careful.