くち
 
ぬぐ
 

expression, Godan verb

  1. to feign innocence, to feign ignorance. Idiomatic expression. From wiping one's mouth and feigning innocence after sneaking a bite of food.
  2. to wipe one's mouth.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
くち
 
ぬぐ
 
口を拭う くちをぬぐう

Contained Kanji Breakdown

mouth
くち コウ ク (1st, N4)
wipe, mop, swab
ふ.く ぬぐ.う ショク (11th)
hand, hand radical (no. 64)
シュ
style, ceremony, rite
シキ のり (3rd, N3)
piling, ceremony radical (no. 56)
ヨク いぐるみ (Kentei 1)
craft, construction, katakana e radical (no. 48)
コウ ク もく (2nd, N4)