網あみ呑どん舟しゅうの魚うおを漏もらす

expression, godan verb (-su)

the law has holes large enough for the most wicked men to slip through; the long arm of the law doesn't reach everywhere

Proverb meaning that laws or rules are not perfect and can fail to catch the worst offenders. Literally: 'a net lets the boat-swallowing fish escape.'

• 網あみ呑どん舟しゅうの魚うおを漏もらすというように、法ほう律りつも完かん全ぜんではない。

  As the proverb goes, 'the net lets the boat-swallowing fish escape' — the law is not perfect either.