Proverb / Kotowaza
痛くない腹を探られる
To be suspected of wrongdoing despite being completely innocent.
To have a stomach that doesn't hurt probed.
Quick Answer
To be suspected of wrongdoing despite being completely innocent.
- Literal Image
- To have a stomach that doesn't hurt probed.
- Closest Equivalent
- To be suspected without cause
- How to Use It
- Used when someone feels unfairly suspected, investigated, or questioned for something they did not do.
Meaning
This expression describes the uncomfortable feeling of being placed under suspicion when you have done nothing wrong. It refers to a situation where someone doubts your motives or actions despite your clear conscience.
Literal Image
To have a stomach that doesn't hurt probed.
Equivalent Proverbs
To be suspected without cause
A direct translation of the concept provided in the source, though not a traditional English idiom.
How to Use It
Used when someone feels unfairly suspected, investigated, or questioned for something they did not do.
Tone
Expresses frustration or indignation at being unjustly suspected.
Examples
まさか自分が疑われるとは思ってもみなかった。全く身に覚えがないのに、痛くない腹を探られるようで気分が悪い。
I never thought I would be the one suspected. I have absolutely no memory of doing anything wrong, so being suspected without cause feels terrible.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The vocabulary and grammar are accessible, but the figurative use of 'hara' (stomach) to mean 'inner thoughts' or 'conscience' requires some idiomatic understanding.
痛くない
いたくない / itakunai
does not hurt
腹
はら / hara
stomach; belly (refers to inner intentions)
探られる
さぐられる / sagurareru
to be probed; to be searched
Usage Profile
Usage note: This conveys a sense of defensive frustration, so it is best used when you truly want to push back against baseless accusations.
Misread Risk
Do not interpret this as a literal medical statement about a physical stomach exam.
Search As
Related Proverbs
Origin
The phrase "hara wo saguru" means to probe someone's true intentions. To have a "stomach that doesn't hurt" (a mind with no guilty conscience) probed metaphorically represents the situation of being suspected despite being completely innocent.
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.