くち
 
ぬぐ
 

expression, Godan verb

  1. to feign innocence, to feign ignorance. Idiomatic expression. From wiping one's mouth and feigning innocence after sneaking a bite of food.
  2. to wipe one's mouth.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
くち
 
ぬぐ
 
口を拭う くちをぬぐう

Contained Kanji Breakdown

mouth
くち コウ ク (1st, N4)
wipe, mop, swab
ふ.く ぬぐ.う ショク (Late High School)
hand, hand radical (no. 64)
シュ
style, ceremony, rite
シキ のり (3rd, N3)
piling, ceremony radical (no. 56)
ヨク いぐるみ (Kentei 1)
craft, construction, katakana e radical (no. 48)
コウ ク もく (2nd, N4)