1.
to exaggerate a story; to add embellishments; to dramatize
Idiom literally meaning 'to attach a tail and fins'. Used when a story or rumour gets enlarged each time it's passed along, with details added that were not in the original.
彼は話に尾ひれをつける。
He embellishes his stories.
噂は尾ひれがついて広まった。
The rumour spread, growing more embellished as it went.
何度も人づてに聞いているうちに、話にすっかり尾ひれがついていた。
By the time the story had passed through several people, it was thoroughly embellished.
Idiom of unclear origin — likely from depicting a creature growing extra tail and fins over time. Negative connotation: implies the added details are exaggerations, not improvements.
COMMON FORMS:
- 話に尾ひれをつける: to add embellishments to a story (active, transitive)
- 尾ひれがつく: (the story) gets embellishments added (intransitive — used of the rumour itself)
- 尾ひれをつけて話す: to tell with embellishments
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 誇張する: to exaggerate — neutral and direct, no metaphor
- 大袈裟に言う: to say in an exaggerated way — focuses on the manner of telling
- 脚色する: to dramatize; to spice up — often used of news or anecdotes