針はりの穴あな

expression, noun

eye of a needle

Refers to the small hole at the end of a sewing needle through which thread passes. Also used metaphorically for a very narrow opening or difficult passage.

• 針はりの穴あなに糸いとを通とおすのは難むずかしい。

  It's difficult to thread a needle.

• 彼かれは針はりの穴あなを通とおるような思おもいで試し験けんに合ごう格かくした。

  He passed the exam by the skin of his teeth (lit. as if passing through the eye of a needle).