I was explaining the English idioms to throw a wrench in the works (to throw a spanner in the works in Britain) to my husband this morning when it reminded him of this idiom in Japanese, which I had never heard before. He quickly noted that the Japanese idiom, whose literal meaning would be to toss the spoon, has a completely different meaning. It can be commonly used in two disparate situations: medicine and love affairs. When a doctor has concluded that there are no more viable treatment options for her patient, she tosses the spoon. And when a paramour decides that the relationship is no longer worth pursuing, he tosses the spoon. There are therefore frequently uses in passive voice:
- 医者に匙を投げられた isya ni sazi o nagerareta, The doctor gave up on me
- 彼氏に匙を投げられた karesi ni sazi o nagerareta, My boyfriend ended it
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