1.
unnecessary worry, needless anxiety
Worrying about something that hasn't happened yet and may never happen. Borrowing trouble.
それは取り越し苦労だよ。
You're worrying for nothing.
取り越し苦労をしても仕方がない。
There's no point in worrying about things that haven't happened.
心配していたけど、結局取り越し苦労だった。
I was worried, but in the end it turned out to be needless anxiety.
USAGE:
Commonly used to reassure someone who is worrying unnecessarily, or to reflect on one's own past worries that turned out to be unfounded. Often appears as 取り越し苦労をする (to worry needlessly) or 取り越し苦労だった (it was needless worry).
ETYMOLOGY:
From 取り越す (to bring forward, to anticipate) + 苦労 (hardship, worry). Literally "suffering brought forward" — worrying about something before it happens.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 取り越し苦労をする: to worry needlessly
- 取り越し苦労に終わる: to end up being needless worry