縁えんの下したの力ちから持もち

え

ん

の

し

た

の

ち

か

ら

も

ち

Meanings

1

expression, noun

unsung hero; person who does a thankless task

idiomatic expression

Refers to someone who works hard behind the scenes without recognition, like a pillar supporting a house from under the floor. Often used in a positive, appreciative tone.

彼かれは縁えんの下したの力ちから持

も

ち

と

し

て

、

チーム

を

支ささ

え

て

いる

。

He supports the team as an unsung hero.

このプロジェクトの成せい功こうは、縁えんの下したの力ちから持もちのおかげです。

The success of this project is thanks to the people who worked behind the scenes.

Kanji

縁affinity, relation, connection
下below, down, descend
力power, strength, strong
持hold, have

Related words

黒くろ子ご
黒子 refers to a stagehand in kabuki, often extended to mean someone who works behind the scenes, but it can imply invisibility or anonymity more strongly than 縁の下の力持ち, which emphasizes unrecognized effort.
裏うら方かた
裏方 is a more general term for backstage or behind-the-scenes workers, without the strong connotation of being unappreciated that 縁の下の力持ち carries.

Built from

縁えんの下した+力ちから持もち

Written forms

縁えんの下したの力ちから持もち
Standard kanji spelling for this idiomatic expression.
えんの下したの力ちから持もち
Mixed kana-kanji spelling sometimes seen in less formal writing.

Etymology

Literally 'the strong man under the floor'. The phrase comes from the image of a pillar or support hidden beneath a traditional Japanese house, doing essential work out of sight.