一筋縄ではいかない

ひとすじなわではいかない

Also written 一筋縄では行かない

Meanings

1. Expression, い-adjective not straightforward; not dealt with by ordinary means; very hard to manage See also: 一筋縄 (ひとすじなわ).

Kanji

• 一 one. Read as ひと.
• 筋 muscle. Read as すじ.
• 縄 rope. Read as なわ.

Jinuma: Japanese Dictionary · Word lists