犬猿(けんえん)の仲(なか)

けんえんのなか
expression
like cats and dogs; bitter enemies
idiom
1. like cats and dogs; on very bad terms; bitter rivals
An idiomatic expression describing two people or groups who are always fighting or who cannot get along at all. Literally means "the relationship of dogs and monkeys," as dogs and monkeys are traditionally believed to be natural enemies in Japanese culture.
あの二人(ふたり)は犬猿(けんえん)の仲(なか)だ。
Those two are like cats and dogs.
We're on terrible terms with the neighboring department and always clash in meetings.
子供(こども)の頃(ころ)は犬猿(けんえん)の仲(なか)だった兄弟(きょうだい)が、大人(おとな)になってからは仲良(なかよ)くなった。
The siblings who were like cats and dogs as children became close after growing up.

One of the most well-known Japanese idioms. The expression comes from the folk belief that dogs (犬(いぬ)) and monkeys (猿(さる)) are natural enemies. Note that Japanese uses "dogs and monkeys" where English uses "cats and dogs." Usually ~と~は犬猿(けんえん)の仲(なか)だ, or 犬猿(けんえん)の仲(なか)の + noun. Related: 水(みず)と油(あぶら) (oil and water — also describes incompatibility), 仲(なか)が悪(わる)い (on bad terms — straightforward expression).