寝首をかく

ねくびをかく

Also written 寝首を掻く

Meanings

1. Expression, Godan verb to cut off the head of a sleeping person; to assassinate someone while they sleep
2. to catch someone off their guard by setting traps

Kanji

• 寝 sleep. Read as ねる.
• 首 neck. Read as くび.

Jinuma: Japanese Dictionary · Word lists