Vocab Info

A5 Expressions, Noun

どんぐりの背比(せいくら)having no outstanding characteristics, to all seem about the same, bragging competition ('pissing contest') concerning matters of little importance, height comparison among acorns

    Dictionary Definition

    1. Expressions, Noun

      1.

      having very little difference between one another, being much of a muchness, being more or less the same, height comparison among acorns

      Idiomatic expression
    2. Expressions, Noun

      2.

      pointless competition (between two equally unimpressive parties), pissing contest

      Idiomatic expression

    All Forms

    どんぐりの背比べ 【どんぐりのせいくらべ】ドングリの背比べ 【どんぐりのせいくらべ】団栗の背比べ 【どんぐりのせいくらべ】

    Details

    • Audio

    Examples

    --:--

      (まえ)らに大差(たいさ)はない。どんぐりの(そむ)(くら)べだよ。

      There isn't much of a difference between you all. It's a height comparison among acorns.

        このクラスはどんぐりの(そむ)(くら)べで、(ひい)でた生徒(せいと)はいない。

        In this class, it's a height comparison among acorns; there are no outstanding students.

          初級(しょきゅう)クラスなのだから、みんながどんぐりの(そむ)(くら)べなのも当然(とうぜん)だ。

          Since it's a beginner's class, naturally everyone is at a height comparison among acorns.

            (ちち):「長男(ちょうなん)次男(じなん)もどんぐりの(そむ)(くら)べで、どちらが(ひい)でているとかはない。」

            Father: "Both the eldest and the second son are a height comparison among acorns; neither is particularly outstanding."

              彼女(かのじょ)とはどんぐりの(そむ)(くら)べだと(おも)っていたのに、いつ()をつけられたんだ?!

              I thought it was a height comparison among acorns between her and me, so when did she pull ahead?!

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