1.
detour; dawdling; loitering on the way
Stopping or lingering along the way instead of going directly to one's destination. Often used with する or 食う. Originally referred to a horse stopping to eat grass on the roadside.
道草を食った。
I dawdled on the way.
子どもが道草をして帰りが遅くなった。
The child dawdled on the way and got home late.
道草しないでまっすぐ帰ってきなさい。
Come straight home without dawdling.
USAGE:
Most commonly used in the set phrase 道草を食う (to dawdle, literally "to eat roadside grass"). Can also be used with する. Typically describes children loitering on the way home from school, but applies to anyone making unnecessary stops.
ETYMOLOGY:
From 道 (road) + 草 (grass). Originally described a horse stopping to graze on grass along the road during a journey, delaying the traveler.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 道草を食う (to dawdle on the way)
- 道草する (to loiter, to make detours)