Proverb / Kotowaza
惜口に風を入る
Accidentally letting out a single word that leads to a secret being completely revealed.
Letting the wind enter a mouth that was being kept shut
Quick Answer
Accidentally letting out a single word that leads to a secret being completely revealed.
- Literal Image
- Letting the wind enter a mouth that was being kept shut
- How to Use It
- Used to describe the moment a secret is inadvertently exposed or to warn that even a small slip of the tongue can undo long-held silence.
Meaning
Despite efforts to remain silent and keep a secret, a single careless word or slip of the tongue can cause the entire matter to become known to others. It describes the process where once silence is broken, information flows out uncontrollably, much like wind entering a gap.
Literal Image
Letting the wind enter a mouth that was being kept shut
How to Use It
Used to describe the moment a secret is inadvertently exposed or to warn that even a small slip of the tongue can undo long-held silence.
Tone
Cautionary
Examples
秘密を守り通すつもりだったが、惜口に風を入るで、うっかり真相を話してしまった。
I intended to keep the secret to the end, but like letting wind into a shut mouth, I accidentally spoke the truth.
惜口に風を入るというから、一度口を開けばもう隠し通すことはできない。
They say that once wind enters a shut mouth, you can no longer keep things hidden.
彼は慎重だったが、惜口に風を入るように、一つの失言からすべてが露呈した。
He was careful, but like letting wind into a shut mouth, everything was exposed through a single slip of the tongue.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The vocabulary 'atarakuchi' is rare, and the verb 'iru' (to enter) uses a classical reading compared to the modern 'hairu'.
惜口
あたらくち / atarakuchi
a mouth kept shut carefully or sparingly
風
かぜ / kaze
wind
入る
いる / iru
to enter
Usage Profile
Usage note: The word 'atarakuchi' specifically refers to the effort of keeping quiet, so it's best used when that prior effort is significant.
Misread Risk
Do not confuse the reading of 入る with 'hairu' in this specific idiom; it is traditionally read as 'iru'.
Search As
Related Proverbs
Origin
Derived from the image of information leaking out like wind entering through a small gap created when a mouth that was carefully kept shut (atarakuchi) is opened even slightly.
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.