ほね
骨
　
を
ぬす
盗
　
む

expression, Godan verb

  1. to spare oneself, to spare oneself the trouble.
  2. to nullify someone's efforts. Archaism. As 骨を盗むまい, 骨を盗まず, etc..

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
ほね
骨
　
を
ぬす
盗
　
む
 骨を盗む ほねをぬすむ

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)
steal, rob, pilfer
ぬす.む　トウ (7th, N3)
next, order, sequence
つぎ　ジ　つ.ぐ (3rd, N3)
two-stroke water radical or ice radical (no. 15)
ヒョウ　こおり (Kentei 1)
lack, gap, fail
ケツ　か.ける　ケン (4th, N3)
knife, wrapping enclosure(勹) variant
person
ひと　ニン　ジン (1st, N5)
dish, a helping, plate
さら　ベイ (3rd, N2)