地獄(じごく)に仏(ほとけ)

じごくにほとけ
expression
a lifesaver in a desperate situation; salvation in dire straits
idiom
1. a lifesaver when things look hopeless; salvation in dire straits
Literally "a Buddha in hell." Describes help, or a helper, appearing when one is in serious trouble with no way out. Stronger than an ordinary lucky break: the situation must be genuinely desperate.
まさに地獄(じごく)に仏(ほとけ)だった。
It was truly a lifesaver.
道(みち)に迷(まよ)っていたら声(こえ)をかけてもらい、地獄(じごく)に仏(ほとけ)の思(おも)いだった。
I was lost when someone spoke to me — it felt like salvation.
財布(さいふ)をなくして困(こま)り果(は)てていたところに友人(ゆうじん)が現(あらわ)れ、まさに地獄(じごく)で仏(ほとけ)に会(あ)ったようだった。
I had lost my wallet and was at my wits' end when a friend turned up — like meeting a Buddha in hell.

Usage

Most often predicative (地獄(じごく)に仏(ほとけ)だ / だった) or attributive (地獄(じごく)に仏(ほとけ)の思(おも)い). The fuller form 地獄(じごく)で仏(ほとけ)に会(あ)ったよう is equally common, and the particle varies freely between に and で.

Common collocations

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 渡(わた)りに船(ふね) (a godsend)
general
Added 2026.8.14 3:28 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
30500/30617_jigokunihotoke