足(あし)を引(ひ)っ張(ぱ)る

あしをひっぱる

expression

to hold back, to drag down

businessexpression

1. to hold back, to drag down, to hinder

To impede someone's progress or success, often unintentionally through one's own poor performance or actions.

チームの足(あし)を引(ひ)っ張(ぱ)らないようにがんばる。

I'll do my best not to hold the team back.

彼(かれ)の失敗(しっぱい)がプロジェクトの足(あし)を引(ひ)っ張(ぱ)った。

His failure dragged down the project.

体調不良(たいちょうふりょう)で足(あし)を引(ひ)っ張(ぱ)ってしまった。

I ended up holding everyone back because I wasn't feeling well.

みんなの足(あし)を引(ひ)っ張(ぱ)りたくないから、もっと練習(れんしゅう)する。

I don't want to drag everyone down, so I'll practice more.

一人(ひとり)のミスがチーム全体(ぜんたい)の足(あし)を引(ひ)っ張(ぱ)ることもある。責任(せきにん)を持(も)って仕事(しごと)をしよう。

One person's mistake can drag down the whole team. Let's work responsibly.

Structure: 足(あし) (leg/foot) + を + 引(ひ)っ張(ぱ)る (to pull). Literally 'to pull someone's leg' - but unlike the English idiom, this means hindering, not joking.

Nuance: Often used when someone unintentionally burdens others through:

Poor performance
Mistakes
Being unprepared
Health or personal issues

Usage

Team sports and group work
Business projects
Family situations
Any collaborative effort

Self-deprecating use: Commonly used humbly about oneself when worried about being a burden.

Related words

邪魔(じゃま)をする (to get in the way)
迷惑(めいわく)をかける (to cause trouble for)
足手(あして)まとい (a burden, hindrance)

OTHER 足(あし) EXPRESSIONS:

足(あし)が出(で)る: to go over budget
足(あし)を運(はこ)ぶ: to visit

Related Words

Related: 足(あし)が出(で)る (go over budget)

Related: 足(あし)を運(はこ)ぶ (make the trip, visit)

Related: 邪魔(じゃま) (hindrance)

Related: 迷惑(めいわく) (trouble, nuisance)

Related: 足枷(あしかせ) (shackles, fetter)

core

Added 2026.1.18 19:03 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:31

06500/06906_ashiwohipparu