[Undertaker]

Originally Posted by hyperborealis

Please explain!

Well, I'll first state that four-character idioms first originate from China as evident by the all Kanji usage. One thing to be noted is that they can easily be mistaken as four-character combo-words. While some meaning are as characters states and can be treated as combo word, that is not the case for all of them.

With that being said, in the first set that was given, (I'm just going to pair up the idioms with characters they are describing to avoid confusion), Porky and Glass obviously weren't idioms and the same for Arata's.

Crunchyroll didn't translate Arata's four characters but it basically means "easy to get along and hard working" This is obviously from Arata's boss' POV.

Porky's is pretty much as stated, but its direct translation is Barbecue Pork Combo/Dinner with the two smaller character indicates large portion.

Glass-kun's "data miner" is more of "data gathering" than actual noun.

Now the other three are actual idiom with Chihaya's originated from China and Kana and Taichi's being Japanese original as far as I know.

Chihaya's "not a care in the world" is not exactly corret. A direct translation of those 4 words is "there is no seam on heavenly cloth". It originally means perfection. Now the interesting part here is that Japanese usage develops a secondary meaning as being a natural airhead or being carefree like a kid. What is even more interesting is that looking from it's primary meaning, the "perfection" here is interchangeable with "no weakness" or "no holes". Coming from Taichi, it also has a potential double meaning that Chihaya's defense against him is perfect in his mind.

Taichi is as explained, but Kana's "wax poetic" was dead wrong. The direct translation is "Poems/Songs and musical instruments." It is used to describe people well versed in literary field. I guess they can be wax poetic, but they really don't have to be and Kana doesn't strike me as one.


Then the second set, the interesting part here is that all of them are idiom, even Porky's.

Everyone with only Chihaya's were Chinese originated. Porky's and Kana's were the same as Chinese version while Taichi, Glasses, and Arata are slightly modified by subbing in another character that has similar meaning.

Arata's "heart and soul" is completely wrong. I guess Crunchyroll just takes the literal translation of "one thought, focused heart" and run with it. It is the same as the Chinese's "one heart, one thought". The phrase actually means "unwavering dedication" as in one focuses all his thoughts and heart on a single goal.

Glasses-kun's "smart cookie" is probably the closest thing Chruchyroll got right as far as using an English equivalent. The meaning of the idiom is just as it stated, a "brain that is both bright and clear"

Kana's "Brain and Beauty" is just a bit off. This is another idiom where the meaning is exactly as it appears. The direct meaning and translation would be "In possession of both looks and talent", note that it doesn't not have to be smart, just talent, so you can use it with a good looking musician or even athlete. Although, this idiom is mostly used to describe females and almost never uses on males.

Taichi's "easy on the eyes" is right, but the choose of word is a bit too urban considering four-character idioms are more or less high-class languages. The direction translation is that "(both) eyebrows and eyes are fair and beautiful". Basically used to describe a pretty face, though in this case, the idiom is use mostly used toward male, or basically bishonen.

Chihaya's "fools rush in" is not wrong, but again is only taken on the surface level. This idiom is Japanese original. The direct translation is "boar charge, forcefully push forward". The catch here is that "boar charge" in Japanese means closer to one being reckless rather than being a fool. So a better translation would be "recklessly charging forward"

Finally Porky, now Chihaya made mistake on this,

Chrunchyroll translated it as "Pork Dress as Lamb" but the word here is actually "raising pigs, dog meat". Taichi corrected her which CR translated as "Mutton Dressed as Lamb" when the real translation is "Lamb/Sheep's head, Dog meat"

This is an actual idiom where it means that something is not what it seems. The original Chinese record where this is from was referring to something as akin to a butcher shop hanging a lamb's head at storefront but in reality is selling dog meat.

Usually this idiom has a negative tune in it as dogs are not as valuable as lambs, so it usually used to describe things like scams, trickery, con artists or politicians&businessmen.

But in this case, Porky's outside appearance belies the fact that his is actually an very athletic individual and a skilled player and the idiom is used more akin to a similar English idiom (though in reverse meaning), "A wolf in sheep's clothing".