Proverb / Kotowaza
選んで粕を掴む
To end up with something of poor quality despite careful selection or being overly picky.
To choose carefully only to end up grabbing the dregs
Quick Answer
To end up with something of poor quality despite careful selection or being overly picky.
- Literal Image
- To choose carefully only to end up grabbing the dregs
- How to Use It
- Used when someone's effort to find the 'perfect' option backfires, resulting in a poor choice or a bad outcome.
Meaning
This proverb describes a situation where someone examines and considers various options too carefully, only to ultimately choose the worst one. It serves as a metaphor for how being too particular, demanding, or greedy can lead to an unfortunate or ironic result.
Literal Image
To choose carefully only to end up grabbing the dregs
How to Use It
Used when someone's effort to find the 'perfect' option backfires, resulting in a poor choice or a bad outcome.
Tone
Carries a sense of irony, regret, or a warning against over-thinking and being too choosy.
Examples
何十人もの候補者を面接してようやく採用した社員が全員仕事のできない人ばかりで、まさに選んで粕を掴む結果になってしまった。
After interviewing dozens of candidates and finally hiring staff, they all turned out to be incompetent; it was exactly like choosing carefully only to grab the dregs.
結婚相手に高望みをしすぎた結果、良縁を逃し続けて後悔している。選んで粕を掴むとはこのことだ。
By setting my sights too high for a marriage partner, I kept missing good matches and now I regret it. This is what it means to choose carefully only to grab the dregs.
散々比べ検討した末に買った商品がすぐ壊れた。選んで粕を掴むという言葉を思い出した。
The product I bought after comparing and considering everything for so long broke immediately. It reminded me of the saying about choosing carefully only to grab the dregs.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
While the verbs are, the noun 'kasu' and the idiomatic nature of the phrase make it more complex for lower levels.
選んで
えらんで / erande
choosing; selecting
粕
かす / kasu
dregs; lees; waste
掴む
つかむ / tsukamu
to grab; to seize
Usage Profile
Usage note: Using this about someone's specific choice (like a spouse) can be very insulting as it labels the choice as 'dregs'.
Misread Risk
Do not use this for a simple mistake; it specifically refers to the irony of choosing poorly AFTER being very selective.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
The term 'kasu' (粕) refers to the lees or dregs left over after pressing sake, which were traditionally considered of low value. The expression arises from the contradiction of carefully selecting something yet ending up with these worthless dregs. It has been used as an ironic warning against being overly cautious or fastidious in selection.
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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.