Japanese

Verb

鯖を読む ‎(godan conjugation, hiragana さばをよむ, romaji saba o yomu)

1. (idiomatic) manipulate figures to one's advantage, especially one's own age, height, or weight

Usage notes

When used about age, it normally is about presenting oneself as younger than their actual age.

Derived terms

• 鯖読 (さばよ)み ‎(sabayomi, “manipulation of figures”)
• 逆鯖 (ぎゃくさば) ‎(gyakusaba, “presenting oneself as older than their actual age”)