1.
disliking something without trying it; prejudice without experience
originally refers to disliking food without tasting it, but commonly used to describe any prejudice against something one hasn't actually experienced
ピーマンは食わず嫌いだった。
I disliked bell peppers without ever trying them.
食わず嫌いしないで、一度試してみて。
Don't dismiss it without trying - give it a shot.
新しい技術を食わず嫌いしてはいけない。
You shouldn't dismiss new technology without trying it.
ETYMOLOGY:
Literally means "disliking without eating" (食わず = without eating, 嫌い = dislike).
USAGE:
- 食わず嫌いする (to dislike without trying)
- 食わず嫌いをやめる (to stop judging without trying)
BROADER MEANING:
While originally about food, this expression is commonly applied to any situation where someone has prejudice against something they haven't experienced - movies, music, activities, places, etc.
OPPOSITE CONCEPT:
Trying something before judging: まずは{食べてみる} (try eating it first)