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肝をつぶす (きもをつぶす) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

肝きもをつぶす

Meanings

1

expression, godan verb (-su)

be flabbergasted; be amazed; be astounded; be stunned

idiomatic expression

Idiomatic expression for being so surprised or shocked that one's composure is lost. Often used for sudden, unexpected events.

突とつ然ぜんの知しらせに肝きもをつぶした。
I was flabbergasted by the sudden news.

彼かれの大だい胆たんな行こう動どうには肝きもをつぶす思おもいだった。

I was astounded by his bold action.

Written forms

肝きもをつぶす
Standard kanji spelling for this idiomatic expression.
肝きもを潰つぶす
Variant using the shinjitai form of 潰.

Kanji

肝liver, pluck, nerve
潰crush, smash, break

Similar words

驚おどろく
A general verb for 'be surprised'. 肝をつぶす is a stronger, more vivid idiom implying shock that overwhelms one's composure.
びっくりする
Common casual expression for surprise. 肝をつぶす is more intense and often used in written or formal contexts.

Etymology

Literally 'to crush one's liver', an idiomatic expression where the liver (肝) represents one's spirit or courage. The exact origin is uncertain, but it likely stems from the traditional belief that the liver is the seat of one's nerves or fortitude.