腐れ縁

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The colloquial relationship noun 腐れ縁 (くされえん) denotes a stubborn long-standing tie that persists despite conflict.
• Basic usage: A relationship may be called 腐れ縁だ, or its duration can be specified in 学生時代からの腐れ縁.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A stubborn, ambivalent tie
  • It is not purely praise for a good bond; affection and irritation may coexist in a tie that will not break.