Proverb / Kotowaza
蟻の一穴
A tiny oversight or flaw can eventually lead to a major disaster.
A single ant hole.
Quick Answer
A tiny oversight or flaw can eventually lead to a major disaster.
- Literal Image
- A single ant hole.
- Closest Equivalent
- A small leak will sink a great ship
- How to Use It
- Used to warn against neglecting small errors, minor corruption, or tiny defects in a system, organization, or project.
Meaning
This proverb serves as a warning that even the smallest mistake or moment of negligence can escalate into a serious problem. Just as a small hole made by an ant can cause a massive dam to fail, minor issues should be addressed before they lead to catastrophic consequences.
Literal Image
A single ant hole.
Equivalent Proverbs
A small leak will sink a great ship
Both use the image of a small opening destroying a large, sturdy structure.
How to Use It
Used to warn against neglecting small errors, minor corruption, or tiny defects in a system, organization, or project.
Tone
This is a cautionary expression, can be used in formal or professional contexts.
Examples
経費の小さな不正も見逃してはならない。蟻の一穴が会社全体を腐敗させることもある。
Small instances of expense fraud must not be overlooked. A single ant hole can lead to the corruption of the entire company.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The kanji compound 'ikketsu' is less familiar to beginner learners, and the proverb relies on an idiomatic metaphor.
蟻
あり / ari
ant
一穴
いっけつ / ikketsu
one hole; a single hole
Usage Profile
Usage note: This is a serious warning; avoid using it in lighthearted or trivial situations.
Misread Risk
Do not use this to describe a disaster caused by a large, obvious problem; it specifically refers to tiny, neglected triggers.
Search As
Related Proverbs
Origin
This expression is an abbreviation of the proverb "Ari no ana kara tsutsumi mo kuzureru" (Even a dam collapses from an ant hole). It stems from the observation that a tiny hole created by an ant can weaken a massive levee or dam, eventually leading to its total collapse.
Index
Topics, Situations, and Tags
Topics
Situations
Tags
Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.