1.
looking sour; bitter-faced; looking extremely displeased
An idiomatic expression describing a facial expression of extreme displeasure, irritation, or bitterness, as if one had bitten down on something intolerably bitter.
苦虫を噛み潰したような顔をしていた。
He had a sour expression on his face.
部長は報告を聞いて、苦虫を噛み潰したような表情になった。
Upon hearing the report, the department head's expression turned sour.
試合に負けた監督は、苦虫を噛み潰したような顔で記者会見に臨んだ。
Having lost the match, the coach faced the press conference with a grimly bitter expression.
Literally "as if one had crushed a bitter bug in one's teeth." 苦虫 is not a real insect — it is an imaginary creature used only in this idiom to evoke an intensely bitter taste. The expression vividly captures the tightened lips and furrowed brow of someone deeply displeased.
USAGE:
Almost always used in the pattern 苦虫を噛み潰したような + noun (especially 顔 or 表情). Describes suppressed displeasure — the person is unhappy but not shouting or crying; instead, the emotion shows silently in their face.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 苦虫を噛み潰したような顔: a bitter, sour face
- 苦虫を噛み潰したような表情: a displeased expression
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 渋い顔: a sour face; a reluctant look — less extreme; can imply reluctance rather than displeasure
- 不機嫌な顔: an ill-tempered face — more direct, less vivid
- 仏頂面: a sulky face; scowl — implies stubbornness and refusal to engage