皺 寄(しわよ)せ

しわよせ

noun

negative consequences shifted onto someone else; spillover burden

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(よ)せが現場(げんば)に来(き)た。

The fallout from that landed on the front-line staff.

経営(けいえい)の失敗(しっぱい)のしわ寄(よ)せを社員(しゃいん)が受(う)けている。

Employees are bearing the burden of management's mistakes.

大企業(だいきぎょう)のコスト削減(さくげん)のしわ寄(よ)せが下請(したう)けの中小企業(ちゅうしょうきぎょう)に及(およ)んでいる。

The fallout from cost cuts at large corporations is reaching small subcontractor firms.

Composed of 皺(しわ) (wrinkle, crease) + 寄(よ)せ (gathering, pushing together). Often written in mixed kana and kanji as しわ寄(よ)せ. Carries a strongly negative tone.

Common collocations

しわ寄(よ)せが来(く)る: the burden falls on (someone)
しわ寄(よ)せを受(う)ける: to bear the consequences
しわ寄(よ)せが及(およ)ぶ: the strain reaches (someone)
しわ寄(よ)せを食(く)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.

general

Added 2026.6.5 12:07 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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