危ない橋を渡る

abunai hashi o wataru◆idiom

take a risky gamble

彼は会社のお金を横領して、危ない橋を渡っている。

He's embezzling company money and taking a risky gamble.

◆ What It Really Means

To engage in risky behavior despite knowing the potential severe consequences, often involving moral, legal, or social danger.

¶ Literal Meaning

To cross a dangerous bridge

Literal Breakdown

危ないdangerous+橋bridge+を渡るto cross

◇ Mental Image

A person carefully walking across a rickety, unstable bridge over a deep ravine, where one misstep could mean falling to certain doom. The bridge represents the risky path they've chosen to take.

◈ When to Use

A manager embezzles company funds to cover personal debts, knowing they could be fired or prosecuted if discovered. Colleagues might say '彼は会社のお金を横領して、危ない橋を渡っている' (He's embezzling company money and taking a risky gamble).

◉ Cultural Note

This idiom reflects Japan's cultural emphasis on social harmony and the severe consequences of disrupting it. The bridge metaphor may also relate to historical travel dangers in mountainous regions where bridges were literal life-or-death matters.

formal

To take a risky action despite knowing the potential consequences, often involving moral or legal danger.

政治家が汚職疑惑で危ない橋を渡っている。

The politician is walking a tightrope with corruption allegations.

彼女は友達の恋人と付き合って、危ない橋を渡っている。

She's dating her friend's partner, playing with fire.

Commonly used when someone is engaging in risky behavior that could lead to serious trouble if discovered.

Collocations

危ない橋を渡るtake a risky gamble危ない橋を渡ったtook a risky gamble危ない橋を渡るなdon't take that risk

Synonyms

命がけの行動をする危険な賭けに出る

Antonyms

安全な道を選ぶ

Related Phrases

命がけphrase

risking one's life

火中の栗を拾うproverb

to grab chestnuts from the fire

背水の陣metaphor

burning one's boats

Pro Tip

When to use this idiom

Use this when someone is knowingly taking a risk that could have serious consequences if discovered. Common in business, politics, or personal relationships where the stakes are high.

Gold Rule

Don't confuse with literal meaning

This idiom always refers to metaphorical danger, not physical crossing of bridges. Even if someone is literally crossing a dangerous bridge, the idiom would only apply if the context is about taking a risky action.

Word Origin

The phrase combines 危ない (abunai, dangerous) + 橋 (hashi, bridge) + 渡る (wataru, to cross). The bridge metaphor suggests walking a precarious path where one wrong step could lead to disaster. The idiom likely originates from the literal danger of crossing unstable bridges in historical contexts.

Usage Notes

This idiom is often used in contexts involving moral dilemmas, legal risks, or personal relationships where the consequences of getting caught would be severe. It implies a calculated risk where the person is aware of the danger but proceeds anyway.

Word Breakdown

危ない

dangerous

adjective

橋

bridge

noun

を

object marker

particle

渡る

to cross

verb

和英辞典

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