PhraseNinja

Yojijukugo

Japanese meaning of 乾坤一擲

Reading:

けんこんいってき (kenkon itteki)

English Translation:

A bold, once-in-a-lifetime gamble

Meaning & Cultural Context

Meaning:

A make-or-break throw—staking everything on a single decisive move when incrementalism won’t suffice.
日本語で読む
天地の行方を賭す一擲。小出しでは届かぬ局面で全てを懸ける決断。

Cultural Context:

Evokes war councils and boardroom showdowns; powerful but heavy—best reserved for truly pivotal decisions, not routine choices.
日本語で読む
軍議や経営の土壇場を想起させる強い修辞。日常の軽い選択には過剰になりやすく、要所で慎重に使う語。

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

• Noun phrase with “の勝負” or “に出る” to describe staking everything on one decisive move (“乾坤一擲の勝負”).<br>• Common in gambling, strategy, or turning-point situations.
日本語で読む
• 一世一代の大勝負に出る様子を示す「〜の勝負」「〜に出る」（例：「乾坤一擲の勝負」）。<br>• 賭け事や戦略、転機の場面で多用される。

Trap for English Speakers

Could be mistaken for frequent risk-taking, but it’s a *once-in-a-lifetime* gamble.
日本語で読む
何度もする賭けではなく、一度きりの大勝負を表す点に注意。

Example

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 乾坤一擲の勝負に出た。

    I took a once-in-a-lifetime gamble.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 乾坤一擲の勝負に出た彼の姿は、スポーツ漫画のクライマックスそのものだった。

    His bold, once-in-a-lifetime gamble was straight out of a sports manga climax.

Quick check

Meaning

What does 「乾坤一擲」 mean?

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