Shippo wo Tsukamu (Grab a Tail)

Today I will talk about the Japanese phrase "shippo wo tsukamu."

The literal meaning is "to grab a tail," and it expresses "to get evidence of secrets or crime."

In Japan, secrets and crime could be referred to "shippo" (tail).

Here, the tail represents a tail of a raccoon dog or fox.

Even if a raccoon dog or fox changed their figure into something, you could reveal the true identity by grabbing their tails, thus this idiom was made.

Also, to come out secrets or crime is called "shippo wo dasu" (to come out a tail).

You can find these phrases frequently in Japanese criminal dramas.

尻尾をつかむ

今日は「尻尾をつかむ」という慣用句を紹介します。

「尻尾をつかむ」は「他人の隠し事や悪事の証拠を手に入れる」ことを意味します。

日本では、隠し事や悪事を「尻尾」と表現することがあります。

この「尻尾」は、化けた狸や狐のものを表しています。

狸や狐が何かに化けていても、尻尾をつかめば正体をあばくことができることから、この慣用句ができました。

また、隠し事や悪事が露見することを「尻尾を出す」と言います。

これらの慣用句は、日本の刑事ドラマなどでよく見かけます。

• Shippo wo Tsukamu (Grab a Tail)
• This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!

• Today I will talk about the Japanese phrase "shippo wo tsukamu."
• This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!

• The literal meaning is "to grab a tail," and it expresses "to get evidence of secrets or crime."
• The literal meaning is "to grab a tail," and it expresses "to find evidence of secrets or bad deeds."

  “[T]o find evidence of a crime or to (find out about) / (learn of) a secret” sounds fine to me.

• In Japan, secrets and crime could be referred to "shippo" (tail).
• In Japan, a secret or a crime could be referred to "shippo (tail)."

  or “secrets and crimes ... (tails).”

• Here, the tail represents a tail of a raccoon dog or fox.
• Here, the tail represents the tail of a raccoon dog or fox.

• Even if a raccoon dog or fox changed their figure into something, you could reveal the true identity by grabbing their tails, thus this idiom was made.
• Even if a raccoon dog or fox changed their figure into something else, you could reveal the true identity by grabbing their tails, thus this idiom was made.

  “... transformed into something else”

• Also, to come out secrets or crime is called "shippo wo dasu" (to come out a tail).
• Also, revealing a secret or a crime is called "shippo wo dasu (to come out a tail)."

• You can find these phrases frequently in Japanese criminal dramas.
• This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!

Interesting, are there legends of foxes or racoon-dogs transforming into other things in Japan?
面白い。日本で狐と狸は他の物と変化する伝えがあるの？