A herbicide comprising, as an effective component, an N-acyl-N-phenylmateamic acid derivative which is represented by the general formula I!, ##STR9## wherein X and Y each individually represent hydrogen atoms or halogen atoms, R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a lower alkenyl group, a lower alkynyl group, a lower alkoxyalkyl group or a lower alkoxycarbonylalkyl group, R.sup.2 represents a lower alkyl group, a halogenated lower alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, and R.sup.4 represents a hydroxyl, a lower alkoxy group, a lower alkenyloxy group, a lower alkynyloxy group, a lower alkoxyalkoxy group, a benzyloxy group or a lower alkoxycarbonylalkoxy group.