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うまいに小判
umai ni koban
a clever trick or scheme
彼はうまいに小判を使ってお金を稼いだ。
He used a clever trick to make money.
informal
A clever or cunning plan or trick, often used to gain an advantage or profit.
そのビジネスマンはうまいに小判で成功を収めた。
The businessman succeeded with a clever scheme.
彼はうまいに小判を使って競争相手を出し抜いた。
He outsmarted his competitors with a clever trick.
This phrase is often used in a positive or neutral context to describe cleverness or ingenuity, but it can also carry a slightly negative connotation if the trick is seen as dishonest.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
The phrase can be used positively to describe cleverness or negatively to describe trickery, so pay attention to the context.
Gold Rule
Avoid Misinterpretation
Do not confuse this phrase with literal gold coins; it is purely metaphorical.
Word Origin
The phrase combines 'うまい' (clever, skillful) and '小判' (a traditional Japanese gold coin), suggesting a clever or cunning plan that yields profit or advantage.
Usage Notes
This phrase is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more frequently encountered in informal speech and writing. It can describe both positive cleverness and negative trickery, depending on the context.
Word Breakdown
うまい
clever, skillful
adjective小判
a traditional Japanese gold coin (metaphorically, a clever scheme)
noun和英辞典