隔かっ靴か掻そう痒よう

noun

frustration from not getting what one wants; an itch one cannot scratch

A yojijukugo (four-character idiom) expressing the irritation of being unable to reach a desired outcome, like trying to scratch an itch through a shoe. Often used in literary or formal contexts.

• 彼かれの説せつ明めいはいつも隔かっ靴か掻そう痒ようの感かんがある。

  His explanations always leave me feeling frustrated, as if I can't quite get to the point.

• 改かい革かく案あんは出でたが、具ぐ体たい性せいに欠かけ、隔かっ靴か掻そう痒ようの思おもいだ。

  A reform plan was proposed, but it lacks specifics, leaving me with a sense of frustration.