顔(かお)が利(き)く

かおがきく
expression
to have influence; to have connections
idiomsociety
1. to have influence; to be well connected in a particular place
To be known and trusted somewhere well enough that one's word gets things done — a table found at a full restaurant, a favor granted. Literally 'one's face works.' The place or circle is marked with で.
父(ちち)はこの町(まち)で顔(かお)が利(き)く。
My father has connections in this town.
彼(かれ)は業界(ぎょうかい)で顔(かお)が利(き)くから相談(そうだん)してみよう。
He has pull in the industry, so let's ask him about it.
顔(かお)が利(き)く知(し)り合(あ)いのおかげで、満席(まんせき)の店(みせ)に入(はい)れた。
Thanks to a well-connected acquaintance, we got into a restaurant that was fully booked.
長年(ながねん)地元(じもと)で商売(しょうばい)をしてきたので、市場(いちば)では今(いま)でも顔(かお)が利(き)く。
Having run a business locally for many years, he still has pull at the market.

Structure: 顔(かお) (face, reputation) + が + 利(き)く (to be effective).

Common patterns

  • 〜で顔(かお)が利(き)く: to have pull in ~ (a town, an industry, a company)
  • 顔(かお)が利(き)く人(ひと): someone with connections

Similar words

  • 顔(かお)が広(ひろ)い: to know a lot of people — breadth of acquaintance; 顔(かお)が利(き)く adds the power to get results
  • コネがある: to have connections — plainer and slightly negative, suggesting unfair advantage

Usage

Normally admiring, but depending on context it can hint that the person gets special treatment others don't.

Related Words

Compare: 顔(かお)が広(ひろ)い (to know a lot of people)
general
Added 2026.8.12 12:18 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
30500/30588_kaogakiku