Japanese

けんがいろくば
Meaning: pulling up the horse on the brink of a precipice; realizing danger at the last moment and turning back
Part of Speech: Noun, Four-character idiom

Listen to pronunciation

Handwriting

懸
崖
勒
馬

Example

He was about to make a reckless investment, but pulled back just in time at the edge of disaster.

Usage Notes

Literally 'pulling the reins at a cliff', used metaphorically for realizing a danger (often a temptation or reckless action) and stopping just before it's too late.

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