胡麻を擂る

• 読み: ごまをする
• ローマ字: goma wo suru
• 漢字の分解: 胡麻 (goma) — sesame; 擂 (rai/su) — grind, crush
• 発音: /ɡo.ma.o.sɯ.ɾɯ/

意味

To flatter; to butter up; to curry favour. An idiomatic expression meaning to ingratiate oneself with someone.

An idiomatic expression using the Group 1 (godan) verb 擂る (to grind). Literally means to grind sesame seeds. The metaphor comes from the way sesame seeds scatter everywhere when ground — just as a flatterer spreads praise in every direction. Very commonly written in hiragana as ごまをする.

例文

1. 上司にごまをすっても昇進には繋がらないよ。
2. あの人はいつも部長にごまをすっている。
3. ごまをするのは苦手だから、実力で認めてもらいたい。

使い方ガイド

場面: workplace, social commentary, daily life

トーン: critical

起源と歴史

The metaphor comes from grinding sesame seeds in a mortar — the seeds stick to everything they touch, just as a flatterer attaches praise to anyone who might benefit them. Dates back to the Edo period.

文化的背景

時代: Edo period

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal