1.
highway robber; highwayman; mugger
A person who robs travelers on the road, historically by stripping them of their clothing and belongings. In modern usage, can refer more generally to mugging or robbery.
From 追い剥ぎ — literally "chasing and stripping." Originally referred to bandits on roads who would waylay travelers and strip them of their clothing and possessions.
Common collocations
- 追いはぎに遭う: to be robbed by a mugger
- 追いはぎが出る: highway robbers appear
- 追いはぎのような: like highway robbery (figurative)
Usage
In modern Japanese, often used figuratively to describe exorbitant prices or charges, similar to the English expression "highway robbery." For example, 追いはぎのような値段 (highway-robbery prices).
Etymology
During the Edo period, 追いはぎ were a real danger on the roads between cities. They feature prominently in historical fiction and period dramas (時代劇).