和英辞書

蟷螂の斧

noun

a reckless strike above one's strength or proper station / a brave individual who faces stronger enemies

彼は蟷螂の斧のように小さな問題を大きく見せている。

He is making a small problem look big like a mantis's axe.

意味（1）

a reckless strike above one's strength or proper station

勝久公当国(かつひさこうとうこく)へ入(はい)らせたまい、諸人(もろびと)みなお味方(みかた)にはせ参(さん)ずるとき、三百(さんびゃく)の兵(つわもの)にて手向(てむ)かい申(もう)すこと蟷螂(とうろう)の斧(おの)も同様(どうよう)

Katsuhisa Kō tōkoku e hairase tamai, morobito mina o-mikata ni hasesanzuru toki, sanbyaku no tsuwamono nite temukai mōsu koto tōrō no ono mo dōyōKatsuhisa shall not enter this country, even if all his supporters charge at once, against three hundred soldiers he is just kicking against the pricks.

意味（2）

a brave individual who faces stronger enemies