世渡(よわた)り下手(べた)

Composed of 世渡(よわた)り (getting along in the world; making one's way through life) + 下手(べた) (unskilled at). Implies someone who is too honest, awkward, or principled to play social games effectively. Often used with a degree of sympathy or self-deprecation, not purely as criticism.

Common collocations

• 世渡(よわた)り下手(べた)な人(ひと): a socially inept person
• 世渡(よわた)りが下手(へた): to be bad at navigating the world

Similar words

• 世渡(よわた)り上手(じょうず): skilled at getting along in the world — the opposite; someone who smoothly navigates social and professional life
• 不器用(ぶきよう): clumsy; awkward — broader; can refer to physical or social clumsiness
• 要領(ようりょう)が悪(わる)い: inefficient; awkward at handling things — describes poor practical judgment more than social skills