1.
burden shifted onto others; ripple-effect strain
The negative side-effects of a decision, problem, or policy that end up falling on people other than those responsible. Literally "pushing wrinkles together," as when smoothing one part of cloth bunches up another.
そのしわ寄せが現場に来た。
The fallout from that landed on the front-line staff.
経営の失敗のしわ寄せを社員が受けている。
Employees are bearing the burden of management's mistakes.
大企業のコスト削減のしわ寄せが下請けの中小企業に及んでいる。
The fallout from cost cuts at large corporations is reaching small subcontractor firms.
Composed of 皺 (wrinkle, crease) + 寄せ (gathering, pushing together). Often written in mixed kana and kanji as しわ寄せ. Carries a strongly negative tone.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- しわ寄せが来る: the burden falls on (someone)
- しわ寄せを受ける: to bear the consequences
- しわ寄せが及ぶ: the strain reaches (someone)
- しわ寄せを食う: to get stuck with the fallout (colloquial)
USAGE:
Frequent in news and workplace contexts, especially about how policy changes or cost cuts harm those at the bottom of a hierarchy.