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手のひら返し (てのひらがえし) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
sudden reversal ; about-face ; flip-flop
Describes a complete and often abrupt change in behavior, opinion, or attitude, as if flipping one's palm. Often used critically. Can be used as a noun or with する to mean 'to do a complete about-face'.
He did an about-face in front of his boss and changed his opinion.
Written forms 手て のひら 返がえ し
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling. 手のひら (palm) + 返し (turning over).
手て の 平ひら 返がえ し
Variant using 平 (flat) for ひら. Less common but seen.
掌てのひら 返がえ し
Compact kanji spelling using 掌 (palm). Rare and may be confused with other readings.
Kanji 掌 palm of hand, rule, administer Similar words 豹ひょう 変へん 豹変 also means a sudden change, but often implies a change in character or nature, sometimes for the worse. 手のひら返し focuses on the act of reversing a stance, often with a nuance of opportunism or inconsistency.
心こころ 変が わり 心変わり means a change of heart, often in personal feelings or affections. 手のひら返し is more about a visible, often criticized reversal of opinion or behavior.
Etymology Compound of 手のひら (palm of the hand) + 返し (turning over). The image is of flipping one's palm over, symbolizing a complete reversal of stance. The exact origin as an idiom is uncertain, but it is a vivid metaphor for inconsistency.
