油断大敵(ゆだんたいてき)

ゆだんたいてき
expression
carelessness is one's greatest enemy
1. carelessness is one's greatest enemy, overconfidence is dangerous
A warning that letting one's guard down or becoming complacent can lead to failure.
油断大敵(ゆだんたいてき)だから、気(き)を引(ひ)き締(し)めよう。
Carelessness is the enemy, so let's stay focused.
試合(しあい)は最後(さいご)まで油断大敵(ゆだんたいてき)だ。
In a match, you can't let your guard down until the end.
合格(ごうかく)したと思(おも)っても油断大敵(ゆだんたいてき)だよ。
Even if you think you passed, don't get overconfident.

A well-known 四字熟語(よじじゅくご) (four-character idiom) meaning "carelessness is one's greatest enemy."

COMPOSITION:

USAGE:

  • Used as a standalone warning: 油断大敵(ゆだんたいてき)だ (Carelessness is dangerous!)
  • Common in sports, exams, work, and safety contexts
  • Often used to motivate continued effort even when things seem to be going well
  • Frequently appears on posters and signs in workplaces

SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:

Equivalent English proverbs: "Don't count your chickens before they hatch," "Pride goes before a fall."

general
Added 2026.1.16 17:36 · Revised 2026.6.16 3:53
05500/05669_yudantaiteki