use as a pretext
The Japanese idiom "dashi ni suru" is useful for intellectual production when used in a positive connotation.

- The expression "dashi ni suru" is a Japanese idiom meaning to make use of something or to use it as an excuse or means. Originally, "[front man](/en/front%20man)" referred to the [dashi](/en/dashi) ([soup stock](/en/soup%20stock)) used to bring out the flavor in cooking, but it has been turned from there to mean to make good use of something in order to achieve some other goal.
- For example, when you "use" something as a pretext to advance a conversation, it means that you are using the topic as a pretext to achieve another intention. In English, this expression is similar to "use as a pretext" or "leverage".
First appearance from [/unnamedcamp/dash it out](https://scrapbox.io/unnamedcamp/dash it out).
metaphor Interesting to see it as
- [Put dried shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) or katsuobushi, a thinly shaved piece, in hot water and gut.
- Dried shiitake mushrooms are a metaphor related to dead text, dead tree, or
- Delicious with broth of multiple origins.
- On the other hand, an ingredient used as a broth can absorb the flavor from another ingredient and become delicious.
This page is auto-translated from /nishio/ダシにする using DeepL. If you looks something interesting but the auto-translated English is not good enough to understand it, feel free to let me know at @nishio_en. I'm very happy to spread my thought to non-Japanese readers.