鬼に金棒
oni ni kanabouAn expression meaning 'adding to something that is already strong or excessive,' often used to describe making something even more powerful or overwhelming than it already is.
彼はすでに優秀なのに、さらに鬼に金棒のような特訓を受けた。
He was already excellent, but he underwent additional training that was like adding a golden club to a demon—making him even stronger.
This idiom is often used to describe situations where an already strong or powerful person or thing becomes even more so, sometimes to the point of being excessive.
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💡Pro Tip
Usage Context
This idiom is often used in situations where someone or something is already strong, and an additional effort or addition makes it even more powerful or overwhelming.
📖Word Origin
The phrase combines '鬼' (oni, demon) and '金棒' (kanabou, golden club), suggesting that even a demon with a golden club is overpowered. It metaphorically represents adding to something that is already strong.
📝Usage Notes
This idiom is commonly used in both positive and negative contexts, depending on the situation. It can describe someone becoming even more skilled or powerful, or it can describe an excessive or unnecessary addition.