[Japanese Idioms by Flashcards]
サジを投げる
“to throw away the spoon”
(to give up in despair, to throw in the towel)
In ancient times the Japanese doctor or pharmacist was expected to concoct a special formula that would cure the patient. The pressure to find the correct mixture of ingredients was so great that many a doctor would hurl the measuring spoon into the air in despair.
Metaphorically, saiji o nageru means to give up out of frustration. Often the phrase is used as admonishment not to give up.
Sample text:
(Style: spoken/casual/male)
Kyooikusha naru mono wa, donna gakusei ni taishite mo saji o nagete wa naranai. Ningen wa dare de mo nanika no kakusareta sainoo ga aru mono da kara dearu.
教育者なるものは、どんな学生に対してもサジを投げてはならない。人間は誰でも何かの隠された才能があるものだからである。
Educators must not give up on any student, for every human being has some ability yet to be tapped.
Japanese Idioms
