Japanese meaning of 危機一髪
Reading:
ききいっぱつ (kiki ippatsu)
English Translation:
A close call
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
To escape from a life-threatening or critical situation by the smallest possible margin. This phrase is often used when someone avoids disaster through a stroke of luck or quick thinking at the last moment.
大きな危険や災難に直面したとき、ほんのわずかな差で助かったり、ぎりぎりで難を逃れたりすること。事故や失敗が目前に迫るなか、間一髪で切り抜けたような場面を表します。
Cultural Context:
Used in news reports, novels, and casual conversation, this phrase captures the tension of near-miss scenarios. It often appears in heroic stories and dramatic retellings in Japanese media.
ニュース、小説、日常会話で使われ、危機を間一髪で免れる場面の緊迫感を表現する。日本のメディアでは英雄的・劇的な出来事として描かれることが多い。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
“A close call” is a noun phrase. The word “call” here means a situation or judgment, not a telephone call.
Trap for English Speakers
Do not interpret “call” literally as a phone call. This expression refers to a narrow escape from danger or trouble.
Example
Basic Example
危機一髪で車を避けた。
I avoided the car in a close call.
Applied Example
矢が頬をかすめる。危機一髪で踏みとどまった命に、観客が息を呑んだ。
An arrow grazed his cheek — it was a close call, and the crowd held its breath.