氷も木から落ちる
kōri mo ki kara ochiruEven the best or most skilled people can make mistakes or fail sometimes.
彼は完璧だと思っていたが、氷も木から落ちるというように、ミスをした。
I thought he was perfect, but as the saying goes, 'Even the best can make mistakes,' he made an error.
たとえプロでも、氷も木から落ちるように、失敗することがある。
Even professionals, as the saying goes, 'Even the best can make mistakes,' can sometimes fail.
This idiom emphasizes that no one is infallible and that mistakes are a natural part of life.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Usage Context
This idiom is commonly used in both formal and informal settings to acknowledge that mistakes happen to everyone, regardless of skill or experience.
⚡Gold Rule
Literal vs. Figurative Meaning
The literal meaning refers to ice falling from a tree, but the figurative meaning is about the inevitability of mistakes.
📖Word Origin
The phrase comes from the observation that even ice, which is hard and cold, can fall from a tree branch, symbolizing that even the strongest or most stable things can fail or make mistakes.
📝Usage Notes
This idiom is often used to console someone who has made a mistake or to remind others that mistakes are inevitable.