Proverb / Kotowaza
開いた口が塞がらない
To be so stunned or dumbfounded by someone's appalling behavior that one is left speechless.
one's open mouth will not close
Quick Answer
To be so stunned or dumbfounded by someone's appalling behavior that one is left speechless.
- Literal Image
- one's open mouth will not close
- How to Use It
- This expression is used when reacting to someone's extremely poor behavior, unreasonable excuses, or surprising level of incompetence.
Meaning
Describes a state of being completely aghast, triggered by the shocking attitude, selfishness, or blatant mistakes of another person. It suggests that a situation is so ridiculous or extreme that the observer's mouth hangs open and they find themselves unable to respond or even find words to express their disbelief.
Literal Image
one's open mouth will not close
How to Use It
This expression is used when reacting to someone's extremely poor behavior, unreasonable excuses, or surprising level of incompetence.
Tone
Critical and expressing a sense of being completely appalled.
Examples
彼の身勝手な言い分には開いた口が塞がらない。
I'm speechless at his selfish excuses.
あんなミスをするとは開いた口が塞がらない。
I'm dumbfounded that they could make such a mistake.
開いた口が塞がらないほどの厚かましさだ。
The level of impudence is enough to leave one's mouth hanging open.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses vocabulary like 'kuchi' (mouth) and 'aita' (opened), but the grammatical structure and the specific idiomatic usage of 'fusagaranai' (won't close/be blocked) make it an intermediate-level phrase.
開いた
あいた / aita
opened
口
くち / kuchi
mouth
塞がらない
ふさがらない / fusagaranai
will not close; will not be plugged
Usage Profile
Usage note: This is a strong expression of disapproval; using it directly to someone may be very confrontational.
Misread Risk
Do not use this to describe pleasant surprises or happy moments; it is specifically for negative shock or being appalled by bad behavior.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
This expression comes from the physical state of having one's mouth wide open in surprise or amazement and being unable to close it due to the sheer shock of a situation.
Index
Topics, Situations, and Tags
Topics
Situations
Tags
Source Note
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