1.
all show and no substance; deceptive appearance
Something or someone that looks impressive on the outside but lacks real quality or substance.
あの店は見掛け倒しだ。
That restaurant is all style and no substance.
立派な外観だが、中身は見掛け倒しだった。
It had an impressive exterior, but the inside was a letdown.
高級そうな包装だったが、中身は見掛け倒しで安っぽかった。
The packaging looked luxurious, but the contents were cheap — all show and no substance.
USAGE:
見掛け倒し is used to criticize something that looks good on the surface but disappoints upon closer inspection. It can describe products, places, or people. Often used as a predicate with だ.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 見掛け倒しの商品 (a product that's all show)
- 見掛け倒しに終わる (to turn out to be all show)
ETYMOLOGY:
From 見掛け (appearance) and 倒し (knocking down) — the appearance defeats expectations.