隔靴掻痒

かっかそうよう · also かくかそうよう

being frustrated because something is not quite as hoped (just as one cannot scratch an itch from outside a shoe); having an itch that one cannot scratch

Also written 隔靴搔痒

Meaning

n
being frustrated because something is not quite as hoped (just as one cannot scratch an itch from outside a shoe); having an itch that one cannot scratch

Example sentences

もっと単刀直入に言ってくれないかな。隔靴掻痒の感なきにしもあらずだよ。

You don't have to leave me hanging like this. Why don't you just come out and tell it to me straight?