あぐらをかく

expression, godan verb (-ku)

sit cross-legged

The literal posture of sitting on the floor with legs crossed in front. Common in casual and traditional settings.

• 子こ供どもたちは床ゆかにあぐらをかいてテレビを見みていた。

  The children were sitting cross-legged on the floor watching TV.

• 正せい座ざが苦にが手てなので、あぐらをかいてもいいですか。

  I'm not good at sitting on my heels, so may I sit cross-legged?

expression, godan verb (-ku)

rest on one's laurels; be self-complacent

Idiomatic use: to become complacent or overly satisfied with past achievements, as if relaxing in a comfortable posture. Often used critically.

• 一いち度ど成せい功こうしたからといって、あぐらをかいていては進しん歩ぽはない。

  Just because you succeeded once, if you rest on your laurels there will be no progress.

• 彼かれは若わかくして成せい功こうしたが、あぐらをかかずに努ど力りょくを続つづけている。

  He succeeded at a young age, but he continues to work hard without becoming complacent.