寸すん止どめ

noun

stopping just before; pulling a punch

Used when an action is deliberately stopped right before completion or contact, often in martial arts or figurative contexts.

• 空から手ての練れん習しゅうでは、寸すん止どめで相あい手てに当あてないようにする。

  In karate practice, we stop just short so as not to hit the opponent.

• 彼かれは怒おこっていたが、最さい後ごの一ひと言ことは寸すん止どめにした。

  He was angry, but he held back the final remark.