判官贔屓

Hōganbiiki

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Meaning

rooting for the underdog

Sympathizing with and taking the side of the weak or the unfortunate. Also read hangan-biiki.

Example

初出場の公立校をつい応援してしまうのは、判官贔屓というものだ。

Finding yourself cheering for the public school making its first appearance is just rooting for the underdog.

Origin

Hōgan refers to Minamoto no Yoshitsune, known as Kurō Hōgan. The phrase arose from the sympathy people felt for Yoshitsune, who was hunted down by his elder brother Yoritomo and met a tragic end. The Kefukigusa of 1638 contains the verse "Yo ya hana ni hōgan-biiki haru no kaze."

Sources

コトバンクkotobank.jp