真綿で首を絞める まわたでくびをしめる Also written 真綿で首を締める Meanings Expression, Ichidan verb to torment by slow degrees; to torture slowly; to drag things out; to reproach in a roundabout way (literally: to strangle with floss silk) Kanji 真 true. Read as ま. 綿 cotton. Read as わた. 首 neck. Read as くび. 絞 wring. Read as しめる. Word lists Idioms Jinuma: Japanese Dictionary · Word lists