Tag Archives: 爪に火

Nail-biting suspense; nail-burning poverty

Posted on May 22, 2016 by Confanity

爪に火を点す (Tsume ni hi wo tomosu; “To light one’s (finger)nail”) Definition: Extreme penny-pinching. To be incredibly poor, or just incredibly stingy with one’s money. Being unable to afford even a candle – or unwilling to buy one – and instead … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment