鬼のいぬまに洗濯

おにのいぬまにせんたく

Also written 鬼の居ぬ間に洗濯

Meanings

1. Expression playing while the cat is away; taking a break while the boss is out; doing what one wants when one is (finally) alone (literally: relaxing while the demon is out) See also: 命の洗濯 (いのちのせんたく).

Kanji

• 鬼 ogre. Read as おに.
• 洗 wash. Read as セン.
• 濯 rinse. Read as タク.

Example sentences

• 鬼の居ぬ間に洗濯。
  When the cat is away, the mice will play.

Word lists

• Idioms

Jinuma: Japanese Dictionary · Word lists