1.
dubious story; something fishy; suspect claim
Something that sounds too good or too strange to be true, and therefore should be doubted. Often used about rumors, get-rich-quick claims, or exaggerated stories.
その話は眉唾だ。
That story is fishy.
眉唾物の情報が多い。
There's a lot of dubious information out there.
確実に儲かるという話は眉唾だと思ったほうがいい。
You should treat any story about guaranteed profits as fishy.
Literally 眉 (eyebrow) + 唾 (spit/saliva). From an old folk belief that wetting one's eyebrows with saliva prevented one from being bewitched by foxes — so a 'mayutsuba' story is one you should guard yourself against believing.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 眉唾だ: it's fishy / dubious
- 眉唾物: a dubious story; a suspect claim
- 眉唾な話: a fishy story
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 怪しい: suspicious; strange — broader, can describe people or behavior
- 胡散臭い: shady; smells fishy — about appearance or vibe, not specifically about claims
- ガセ: false rumor; hoax — slang, focuses on the falseness rather than the suspicion