落おち武む者しゃは薄すすきの穂ほに怖おず

expression

a fleeing soldier is startled by the slightest thing

Proverb meaning that when you are in a state of fear, even the smallest thing will startle you. Literally: 'a fleeing soldier takes fright even from a head of silver grass.'

• 「落おち武む者しゃは薄すすきの穂ほに怖おず」というように、怖こわがっていると何なんでもないものにも驚おどろいてしまう。

  As the proverb goes, 'a fleeing soldier is startled by the slightest thing' — when you're scared, you'll be startled by even the most harmless things.