godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb
Describes an animal or person biting or snapping at something, often with a sense of latching on. Compare 食らいつく for a more aggressive bite.
See also: 食らいつく
犬が骨に食いついた。
The dog snapped at the bone.
魚が餌に食いつく瞬間が好きだ。
I love the moment when a fish bites at the bait.
godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb
jump at; seize eagerly; get one's teeth into
Metaphorical use: eagerly taking an opportunity, offer, or topic. Often used with 話, 誘い, チャンス, etc.
See also: 食らいつく
彼はその仕事の話にすぐ食いついた。
He immediately jumped at the job offer.
面白い話題に食いついて、ずっと話し込んだ。
We got our teeth into an interesting topic and talked for a long time.
godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb
hold on to; cling to; stick to
Used when someone refuses to let go of something, physically or figuratively. Often implies tenacity or stubbornness.
子供が母親の腕に食いついて離れない。
The child clung to his mother's arm and wouldn't let go.
彼は自分の意見に食いついて、絶対に譲らなかった。
He stuck to his opinion and absolutely refused to budge.
godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb
complain; bicker; find fault
Used when someone persistently complains or nitpicks, often in a quarrelsome way. Often appears as 食いつくように言う or similar.
彼は細かいミスに食いついて、なかなか許してくれなかった。
He kept complaining about the small mistake and wouldn't easily forgive me.
会議で同僚が私の提案に食いついてきた。
My colleague started bickering about my proposal at the meeting.