見掛(みか)け倒(だお)し

みかけだおし
noun
all show and no substance; deceptive appearance
descriptive
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(みせ)は見掛(みか)け倒(だお)しだ。
That restaurant is all style and no substance.
立派(りっぱ)な外観(がいかん)だが、中身(なかみ)は見掛(みか)け倒(だお)しだった。
It had an impressive exterior, but the inside was a letdown.
高級(こうきゅう)そうな包装(ほうそう)だったが、中身(なかみ)は見掛(みか)け倒(だお)しで安(やす)っぽかった。
The packaging looked luxurious, but the contents were cheap — all show and no substance.

Usage

見掛(みか)け倒(だお)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(みか)け倒(だお)しの商品(しょうひん) (a product that's all show)
  • 見掛(みか)け倒(だお)しに終(お)わる (to turn out to be all show)

Etymology

From 見掛(みか)け (appearance) and 倒(だお)し (knocking down) — the appearance defeats expectations.

general
Added 2026.3.10 9:06 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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