蛇へびの生なま殺ごろし

expression

leaving someone in limbo; dragging out uncertainty; half-killing a snake (lit.)

Idiomatic expression describing a situation where someone is kept in a state of painful uncertainty or suspense, often with a sense of cruelty or torment. The literal image is of a snake left half-dead, still writhing.

• 返へん事じを待またされ続つづけるのは、まるで蛇へびの生なま殺ごろしだ。

  Being kept waiting for a reply is like being left in limbo.

• 彼かれはライバルを蛇へびの生なま殺ごろしにするようなやり方かたで苦くるしめた。

  He tormented his rival by dragging out the situation tortuously.