1.
to nitpick; to split hairs; to find fault with trivial details
To obsessively point out minor, insignificant flaws or details. Used critically of someone who focuses on trivialities instead of the big picture.
重箱の隅をつつくような指摘はやめてくれ。
Stop making such nitpicky criticisms.
彼はいつも重箱の隅をつつくので、会議が長くなる。
He always nitpicks, so meetings drag on.
全体の出来はいいのに、重箱の隅をつつくような批判ばかりされて悔しい。
The overall work is good, but it's frustrating to receive nothing but nitpicking criticism.
FORMATION:
重箱 (tiered lacquer box used for food) + の + 隅 (corner) + を + つつく (to poke). Literally "to poke at the corners of a tiered box" — picking at the tiny bits of food stuck in the corners.
USAGE:
Almost always used critically. The phrase 重箱の隅をつつくような is a common modifier for words like 指摘 (criticism), 質問 (question), or 議論 (argument).
VARIATION:
Also seen as 重箱の隅をほじくる (using ほじくる "to dig out" instead of つつく).