expression, Ichidan verb

Idiomatic expression.
  1. to require much effort, to be hard to do, to be bone-breakingly hard.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
 
 
骨が折れる ほねがおれる

Contained Kanji Breakdown

skeleton, bone, remains
ほね コツ (6th, N2)
cut flesh from bones(剮) variant
カ ケ わ.ける
mouth
くち コウ ク (1st, N4)
upside-down box radical (no. 13)
キョウ ケイ (Kentei 1)
month, moon
つき ゲツ ガツ (1st, N5)
fold, break, fracture
お.る おり セツ (4th, N3)
hand, hand radical (no. 64)
シュ
axe, 1.32 lb, catty
キン (8th, N1)