首くびをもたげる

expression, ichidan verb

raise one's head; rear its head; gain influence

Literally 'to raise one's head', used idiomatically for problems, doubts, or negative forces that begin to appear or gain strength. Often used with abstract subjects like 不安, 疑問, or 問題.

• 景けい気きが悪わるくなると、失しつ業ぎょう問もん題だいが首くびをもたげる。

  When the economy worsens, the unemployment problem rears its head.

• 彼かれの心こころに疑ぎ念ねんが首くびをもたげ始はじめた。

  Doubts began to raise their head in his mind.