1.
to make sense; to be logical; to be consistent; to be coherent
For an argument, explanation, or course of action to follow a clear, logical thread from beginning to end.
その説明は筋が通っている。
That explanation makes sense.
筋の通った意見を述べてください。
Please state a coherent opinion.
彼の主張は最初から最後まで筋が通っていて、反論のしようがなかった。
His argument was consistent from start to finish, and there was no way to refute it.
筋が通る uses 筋 in the sense of "logic" or "reasoning" (like a thread running through something) and 通る (to pass through). The image is of a logical thread running cleanly through an argument.
The negative form 筋が通らない means "to not make sense" or "to be illogical."
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 筋が通っている (makes sense — ている form is most common)
- 筋の通った〜 (a logical/coherent... — used as a modifier)
- 筋が通らない (doesn't make sense)
RELATED EXPRESSIONS:
- 筋を通す: to follow proper procedure, to do things the right way — the transitive counterpart
- 道理にかなう: to be reasonable — more formal with similar meaning