あぶはちとらず
虻蜂取らず
attempting two tasks at the same time, accomplishing neither; falling between two stools; catching neither the horsefly nor the bee
N3Expression
Expression
attempting two tasks at the same time, accomplishing neither•falling between two stools•catching neither the horsefly nor the bee
Example Sentences
結局は虻蜂取らずになってしまった。
If you try for too much, you'll end up with nothing at all.
そんなに欲をかいていると、虻蜂取らずになっちゃうよ。
Don't be so greedy or you'll wind up with nothing.
その提案一石二鳥を狙ったものだろうけど、「虻蜂とらず」にならなければいいけどね。
That proposal may be a way to kill two birds with one stone, but we also have to be careful not to get greedy and spoil everything.