{
  "name": "Japanese C1 Idioms & Collocations",
  "front_language": "Japanese",
  "back_language": "English",
  "cards": [
    { "front": "猫の手も借りたい (neko no te mo karitai)", "back": "to be extremely busy (lit. \"want to borrow even a cat's paws\")", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "忙しくて猫の手も借りたいくらいだ。", "example_back": "I'm so busy I could use any help I can get." },
    { "front": "猿も木から落ちる (saru mo ki kara ochiru)", "back": "even experts make mistakes", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "猿も木から落ちるというから、失敗しても仕方ない。", "example_back": "Even experts make mistakes, so it's okay to fail sometimes." },
    { "front": "石の上にも三年 (ishi no ue ni mo san'nen)", "back": "perseverance pays off (lit. \"three years on a stone\")", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "石の上にも三年で、彼女はついに認められた。", "example_back": "Patience paid off, and she was finally recognized." },
    { "front": "一石二鳥 (isseki nichou)", "back": "killing two birds with one stone", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "この計画は一石二鳥だ。", "example_back": "This plan kills two birds with one stone." },
    { "front": "七転び八起き (nanakorobi yaoki)", "back": "never giving up, fall seven times stand up eight", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "七転び八起きの精神で頑張った。", "example_back": "He kept going with a never-give-up spirit." },
    { "front": "花より団子 (hana yori dango)", "back": "practicality over aesthetics", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "彼は花より団子で、見た目より味を重視する。", "example_back": "He values substance over style." },
    { "front": "口が滑る (kuchi ga suberu)", "back": "to let something slip / blab", "level": "C1", "tags": ["collocations"], "example_front": "つい口が滑って秘密を話してしまった。", "example_back": "I let it slip and told the secret." },
    { "front": "顔が広い (kao ga hiroi)", "back": "to be well-connected", "level": "C1", "tags": ["collocations"], "example_front": "彼は業界で顔が広い。", "example_back": "He's well-connected in the industry." },
    { "front": "鼻が高い (hana ga takai)", "back": "to be proud", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "息子の成功で鼻が高い。", "example_back": "He's proud of his son's success." },
    { "front": "耳が痛い (mimi ga itai)", "back": "a comment that hits close to home", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "その指摘は耳が痛かった。", "example_back": "That criticism hit close to home." },
    { "front": "目が高い (me ga takai)", "back": "to have a good eye / discerning taste", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "さすが、目が高いですね。", "example_back": "You really have a good eye." },
    { "front": "腹が立つ (hara ga tatsu)", "back": "to get angry", "level": "C1", "tags": ["collocations"], "example_front": "彼の態度に腹が立った。", "example_back": "His attitude made me angry." },
    { "front": "気が合う (ki ga au)", "back": "to get along well / hit it off", "level": "C1", "tags": ["collocations"], "example_front": "二人はすぐに気が合った。", "example_back": "The two of them hit it off right away." },
    { "front": "頭が固い (atama ga katai)", "back": "to be stubborn / inflexible", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "彼は頭が固くて新しいアイデアを受け入れない。", "example_back": "He's stubborn and won't accept new ideas." },
    { "front": "水に流す (mizu ni nagasu)", "back": "to let bygones be bygones", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "過去のことは水に流そう。", "example_back": "Let's let bygones be bygones." },
    { "front": "油を売る (abura wo uru)", "back": "to slack off / dawdle", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "仕事中に油を売るな。", "example_back": "Don't slack off during work." },
    { "front": "馬が合う (uma ga au)", "back": "to get along well", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "彼とは馬が合う。", "example_back": "I get along well with him." },
    { "front": "猫をかぶる (neko wo kaburu)", "back": "to feign innocence / play coy", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "彼女は人前では猫をかぶる。", "example_back": "She plays coy in front of others." },
    { "front": "骨が折れる (hone ga oreru)", "back": "to be laborious / hard work", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "この作業は骨が折れる。", "example_back": "This task is laborious." },
    { "front": "手を焼く (te wo yaku)", "back": "to have a hard time dealing with something", "level": "C1", "tags": ["collocations"], "example_front": "息子のわがままに手を焼いている。", "example_back": "He's having a hard time with his son's selfishness." },
    { "front": "目を丸くする (me wo maruku suru)", "back": "to be wide-eyed with surprise", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "そのニュースに目を丸くした。", "example_back": "He was wide-eyed with surprise at the news." },
    { "front": "気に入る (ki ni iru)", "back": "to take a liking to", "level": "C1", "tags": ["collocations"], "example_front": "この服がとても気に入った。", "example_back": "I really took a liking to these clothes." },
    { "front": "舌を巻く (shita wo maku)", "back": "to be astonished / impressed", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "彼の腕前に舌を巻いた。", "example_back": "I was astonished by his skill." },
    { "front": "腕が立つ (ude ga tatsu)", "back": "to be skilled", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "彼は腕が立つ職人だ。", "example_back": "He's a highly skilled craftsman." },
    { "front": "手が届く (te ga todoku)", "back": "within reach / affordable", "level": "C1", "tags": ["collocations"], "example_front": "その値段なら手が届く。", "example_back": "That price is within reach." },
    { "front": "板につく (ita ni tsuku)", "back": "to become second nature / suit one well", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "彼のスーツ姿がすっかり板についた。", "example_back": "He looks completely natural in a suit now." },
    { "front": "一筋縄ではいかない (hitosuji nawa dewa ikanai)", "back": "not straightforward, a tough nut to crack", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "この問題は一筋縄ではいかない。", "example_back": "This problem isn't straightforward." },
    { "front": "縁の下の力持ち (en no shita no chikaramochi)", "back": "unsung hero", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "彼女はチームの縁の下の力持ちだ。", "example_back": "She's the unsung hero of the team." },
    { "front": "二の足を踏む (ni no ashi wo fumu)", "back": "to hesitate", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "高い値段に二の足を踏んだ。", "example_back": "He hesitated because of the high price." },
    { "front": "棚に上げる (tana ni ageru)", "back": "to conveniently ignore one's own faults", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "自分のミスを棚に上げて人を責める。", "example_back": "He blames others while ignoring his own mistakes." },
    { "front": "揚げ足を取る (ageashi wo toru)", "back": "to nitpick / find fault", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "揚げ足を取るのはやめてくれ。", "example_back": "Stop nitpicking every little thing." },
    { "front": "図に乗る (zu ni noru)", "back": "to get carried away / overconfident", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "褒められて図に乗るな。", "example_back": "Don't get carried away just because you were praised." },
    { "front": "目からうろこが落ちる (me kara uroko ga ochiru)", "back": "a revelation / eyes opened", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "その説明で目からうろこが落ちた。", "example_back": "That explanation was a real revelation." },
    { "front": "猿真似 (sarumane)", "back": "blind imitation", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "それはただの猿真似だ。", "example_back": "That's just blind imitation." },
    { "front": "十人十色 (juunin toiro)", "back": "to each their own / different strokes for different folks", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "好みは十人十色だ。", "example_back": "Tastes vary from person to person." },
    { "front": "我田引水 (gaden insui)", "back": "self-serving (lit. \"drawing water to one's own field\")", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "彼の主張は我田引水だ。", "example_back": "His argument is self-serving." },
    { "front": "温故知新 (onko chishin)", "back": "learning from the past to understand the present", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "温故知新の精神で歴史を学ぶ。", "example_back": "Study history with the spirit of learning from the past." },
    { "front": "有言実行 (yuugen jikkou)", "back": "practicing what you preach", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "彼は有言実行の人だ。", "example_back": "He's a man who practices what he preaches." },
    { "front": "臨機応変 (rinki ouhen)", "back": "adaptability, responding flexibly to circumstances", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "状況に応じて臨機応変に対応する。", "example_back": "Respond flexibly according to the situation." },
    { "front": "一期一会 (ichigo ichie)", "back": "a once-in-a-lifetime encounter", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "この出会いを一期一会だと思って大切にする。", "example_back": "I'll treasure this encounter as a once-in-a-lifetime chance." },
    { "front": "因果応報 (inga ouhou)", "back": "karma / what goes around comes around", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "悪事の報いは因果応報だ。", "example_back": "What goes around comes around." },
    { "front": "大器晩成 (taiki bansei)", "back": "great talents mature late", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "彼は大器晩成型だ。", "example_back": "He's a late bloomer with great potential." },
    { "front": "自業自得 (jigou jitoku)", "back": "to reap what you sow", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "それは自業自得だ。", "example_back": "That's what he gets for his own actions." },
    { "front": "五里霧中 (gori muchuu)", "back": "being completely lost / confused", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "事件の真相は五里霧中だ。", "example_back": "The truth of the case remains completely unclear." },
    { "front": "半信半疑 (hanshin hangi)", "back": "half-believing, skeptical", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "その話を半信半疑で聞いた。", "example_back": "I listened to the story with skepticism." },
    { "front": "猪突猛進 (chototsu moushin)", "back": "headlong recklessness", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "彼は猪突猛進の性格だ。", "example_back": "He has a headlong, reckless personality." },
    { "front": "前代未聞 (zendai mimon)", "back": "unprecedented, unheard of", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "それは前代未聞の出来事だった。", "example_back": "That was an unprecedented event." },
    { "front": "空前絶後 (kuuzen zetsugo)", "back": "unprecedented and unlikely to happen again", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "空前絶後の記録を打ち立てた。", "example_back": "He set an unprecedented record." },
    { "front": "千載一遇 (senzai ichiguu)", "back": "a golden, once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "これは千載一遇のチャンスだ。", "example_back": "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." },
    { "front": "起死回生 (kishi kaisei)", "back": "turning the tables / bringing back from the brink", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "起死回生のホームランで勝利した。", "example_back": "They won with a game-saving home run." },
    { "front": "弱肉強食 (jakuniku kyoushoku)", "back": "survival of the fittest", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "ビジネスの世界は弱肉強食だ。", "example_back": "The business world is survival of the fittest." },
    { "front": "呉越同舟 (goetsu doushuu)", "back": "enemies in the same boat, cooperating despite rivalry", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "ライバル同士が呉越同舟で協力した。", "example_back": "Rivals cooperated despite their differences." },
    { "front": "花鳥風月 (kachou fuugetsu)", "back": "the beauties of nature", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "彼は花鳥風月を愛でる人だ。", "example_back": "He's someone who appreciates the beauty of nature." },
    { "front": "三日坊主 (mikka bouzu)", "back": "quitting after three days, someone who can't stick with things", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "彼はいつも三日坊主だ。", "example_back": "He always quits after just a few days." },
    { "front": "蛙の子は蛙 (kaeru no ko wa kaeru)", "back": "like father, like son (lit. \"a frog's child is a frog\")", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "蛙の子は蛙で、息子も医者になった。", "example_back": "Like father like son—the son became a doctor too." },
    { "front": "出る杭は打たれる (deru kui wa utareru)", "back": "the nail that sticks out gets hammered down", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "出る杭は打たれると言われても、彼は挑戦を続けた。", "example_back": "Even though the nail that sticks out gets hammered, he kept challenging himself." },
    { "front": "郷に入っては郷に従え (gou ni itte wa gou ni shitagae)", "back": "when in Rome, do as the Romans do", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "郷に入っては郷に従えで、現地の習慣に従った。", "example_back": "When in Rome, do as the Romans do—he followed the local customs." },
    { "front": "塞翁が馬 (saiou ga uma)", "back": "fortune is unpredictable / a blessing in disguise", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "人間万事塞翁が馬、悪いことばかりではない。", "example_back": "Fortune is unpredictable—not everything bad stays bad." },
    { "front": "光陰矢の如し (kouin ya no gotoshi)", "back": "time flies like an arrow", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "光陰矢の如しで、もう十年が経った。", "example_back": "Time flies—ten years have already passed." },
    { "front": "覆水盆に返らず (fukusui bon ni kaerazu)", "back": "what's done is done (lit. \"spilled water doesn't return to the tray\")", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "覆水盆に返らず、もう後戻りはできない。", "example_back": "What's done is done; there's no going back." },
    { "front": "虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず (koketsu ni irazunba koji wo ezu)", "back": "nothing ventured, nothing gained", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ずで、彼はリスクを取った。", "example_back": "Nothing ventured, nothing gained—he took the risk." },
    { "front": "井の中の蛙大海を知らず (i no naka no kawazu taikai wo shirazu)", "back": "a frog in a well doesn't know the ocean (narrow-minded)", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "井の中の蛙大海を知らずにならないよう、世界を見て回った。", "example_back": "To avoid being narrow-minded, he traveled the world." },
    { "front": "継続は力なり (keizoku wa chikara nari)", "back": "persistence is power", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "継続は力なりと信じて練習を続けた。", "example_back": "Believing that persistence is power, he kept practicing." },
    { "front": "灯台下暗し (toudai moto kurashi)", "back": "it's darkest under the lighthouse (the answer is often right under your nose)", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "灯台下暗しで、答えはすぐそばにあった。", "example_back": "The answer was right under his nose all along." },
    { "front": "論より証拠 (ron yori shouko)", "back": "the proof is in the pudding (evidence beats argument)", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "論より証拠、実際にやってみせよう。", "example_back": "The proof is in the pudding—let's just show it in practice." },
    { "front": "百聞は一見に如かず (hyakubun wa ikken ni shikazu)", "back": "seeing is believing", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "百聞は一見に如かずだから、現地を訪れた。", "example_back": "Seeing is believing, so he visited the site himself." },
    { "front": "急がば回れ (isogaba maware)", "back": "more haste, less speed", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "急がば回れで、確実な方法を選んだ。", "example_back": "More haste, less speed—he chose the safer method." },
    { "front": "二兎を追う者は一兎をも得ず (nito wo ou mono wa itto wo mo ezu)", "back": "chasing two rabbits, catching neither", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "二兎を追う者は一兎をも得ずというから、一つに集中した。", "example_back": "Chasing two rabbits catches neither, so he focused on just one." },
    { "front": "蓼食う虫も好き好き (tade kuu mushi mo sukizuki)", "back": "there's no accounting for taste", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "蓼食う虫も好き好きで、彼の趣味は理解できない。", "example_back": "There's no accounting for taste—I can't understand his hobby." },
    { "front": "猫に小判 (neko ni koban)", "back": "pearls before swine (lit. \"gold coins to a cat\")", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "高級ワインをあげても猫に小判だ。", "example_back": "Giving him fine wine would be like casting pearls before swine." },
    { "front": "石橋を叩いて渡る (ishibashi wo tataite wataru)", "back": "to be extremely cautious", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "彼は石橋を叩いて渡る性格だ。", "example_back": "He's the type to be extremely cautious." },
    { "front": "花を持たせる (hana wo motaseru)", "back": "to let someone else take the credit", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "部下に花を持たせた。", "example_back": "He let his subordinate take the credit." },
    { "front": "気を配る (ki wo kubaru)", "back": "to be attentive / considerate", "level": "C1", "tags": ["collocations"], "example_front": "彼女は細部まで気を配る。", "example_back": "She's attentive to every detail." },
    { "front": "顔に泥を塗る (kao ni doro wo nuru)", "back": "to bring shame on someone", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "彼の行動は会社の顔に泥を塗った。", "example_back": "His actions brought shame on the company." },
    { "front": "手も足も出ない (te mo ashi mo denai)", "back": "to be completely at a loss / helpless", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "この問題には手も足も出ない。", "example_back": "I'm completely at a loss with this problem." },
    { "front": "波に乗る (nami ni noru)", "back": "to ride the wave / go with momentum", "level": "C1", "tags": ["collocations"], "example_front": "彼のビジネスは波に乗っている。", "example_back": "His business is riding the wave of success." },
    { "front": "山を張る (yama wo haru)", "back": "to make an educated guess / gamble (esp. on exams)", "level": "C1", "tags": ["collocations"], "example_front": "試験前に山を張った。", "example_back": "He made educated guesses before the exam." },
    { "front": "舌が肥える (shita ga koeru)", "back": "to have a refined palate", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "彼は舌が肥えている。", "example_back": "He has a refined palate." },
    { "front": "腰を据える (koshi wo sueru)", "back": "to settle down and focus on something", "level": "C1", "tags": ["collocations"], "example_front": "この街に腰を据えて働くことにした。", "example_back": "He decided to settle down and work in this city." },
    { "front": "図星 (zuboshi)", "back": "hitting the mark exactly / spot-on", "level": "C1", "tags": ["idioms"], "example_front": "その指摘はまさに図星だった。", "example_back": "That comment hit the nail right on the head." }
  ]
}