GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜に名を借りて
Indicates using an acceptable pretext, such as public interest or custom, to justify an action that serves a different purpose.
Examples
伝統保護に名をかりて、新しい表現を一律に排除してはならない。
New forms of expression must not be uniformly excluded under the guise of protecting tradition.
Words used
研究に名を借りて、人を傷つけてはいけない。
You must not hurt people in the name of research.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Attach
に名を借りてto a noun naming a cause or pretext to describe using an acceptable justification for a different actual action. - Basic usage:
研究に名を借りて、人を傷つけてはいけない。says that research must not be used as a pretext for harming people.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Stated cause and actual action
- In
伝統保護に名をかりて, protecting tradition is the publicly stated cause. Contrasting it with the exclusion of new expression criticizes the use of that cause as a pretext.
- In
- Evaluation compared with のために
研究のためにcan neutrally present research as a purpose.研究に名を借りてincludes a critical view that the actual action is at odds with the stated justification.