1.
not straightforward; not easy to deal with; tricky
Describes a person, situation, or problem that cannot be handled with ordinary methods and requires extra effort or skill.
あの人は一筋縄ではいかない。
That person is not easy to deal with.
この問題は一筋縄ではいかないぞ。
This problem isn't going to be straightforward.
国際交渉は一筋縄ではいかない相手ばかりで、忍耐力が求められる。
International negotiations are full of counterparts who aren't easy to deal with, and patience is required.
An idiomatic expression meaning that ordinary approaches won't work. Literally, 一筋縄 means "a single rope" — the image is that a single rope (simple method) isn't enough to restrain or control someone or something.
USAGE:
Almost always used in the negative form ではいかない or じゃいかない. Can describe people (stubborn, clever, difficult), problems (complex), or situations (unpredictable).
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 一筋縄ではいかない相手: a difficult opponent
- 一筋縄ではいかない問題: a tricky problem
- 一筋縄ではいかない性格: a difficult personality
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 手強い: tough, formidable — similar meaning but more concise
- 一癖ある: to have a quirk; to be tricky — often about people
- 簡単にはいかない: not easy — more straightforward phrasing