足あしの裏うらの米こめ粒つぶ

expression, noun

pointless degree; meaningless qualification; useless license

Idiomatic expression comparing a useless qualification to a grain of rice stuck to the sole of the foot: it must be removed, but it is not enough to eat. Used to describe a degree or license that brings no practical benefit.

• せっかく取とった資し格かくも、使つかわなければ足あしの裏うらの米こめ粒つぶだ。

  Even a qualification you worked hard to get is just a pointless degree if you never use it.

• その免めん許きょは足あしの裏うらの米こめ粒つぶで、実じつ務むにはまったく役やくに立たたない。

  That license is a useless piece of paper; it doesn't help at all in actual work.