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I saw it on a prep book and there says the meaning is to waste time and money,
but I don't understand how.
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2019-05-29T07:02:11.537
68556
2019-05-29T23:03:43.213
2019-05-29T23:03:43.213
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question
meaning idioms
Jibun dake baka o miru meaning?
馬鹿を見る is a common idiom, but different sources provide different definitions
to it...

>   * to feel like an idiot; to make a fool of yourself​
> ([jisho.org](https://jisho.org/search/%E9%A6%AC%E9%B9%BF%E3%82%92%E8%A6%8B%E3%82%8B))
>   *
> つまらない目にあう。ばかばかしい思いをする。ばかな目にあう。([デジタル大辞泉](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/jn/174686/meaning/m0u/))
>   * to waste time and money (your prep book)
>

I feel these definitions are not wrong, but insufficient. The basic meaning of
this idiom is "to be insufficiently rewarded (for one's effort/honesty)", "to
feel unappreciated", "to feel like a fool because something ended up with
nothing", etc. Depending on the context, "to be left holding the bag" or "to
draw the short straw" might be a valid translation, too. 正直者が馬鹿を見る is a common
proverb meaning "Honesty doesn't pay."

自分 is "oneself" and can refer to anyone (I, you, he, etc) depending on the
context. だけ is "only/just". Therefore 自分だけ馬鹿を見る means something along the
lines of "Only myself/yourself/etc will be unrewarded/unappreciated".
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2019-05-29T08:15:39.797
68559
2019-05-29T08:15:39.797
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answer