鞍くら替がえ

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb

switching (job, loyalty, stance); changing sides

Metaphorical use derived from changing a horse's saddle. Commonly used for changing jobs, political parties, or allegiances. Often implies a pragmatic or opportunistic shift.

• 彼かれは競きょう合ごう他た社しゃに鞍くら替がえした。

  He switched over to a rival company.

• 選せん挙きょ前まえに別べつの政せい党とうに鞍くら替がえする議ぎ員いんもいる。

  Some lawmakers switch to another party before an election.

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb

changing quarters (of a geisha, prostitute)

Historical and domain-specific use referring to a geisha or prostitute moving to a different establishment. Rare in modern general conversation.

• その芸げい者しゃは去きょ年ねん、別べつの置おき屋やに鞍くら替がえしたそうだ。

  I heard that geisha changed to another teahouse last year.