Japanese word

踏み切る

Pronunciation

Romajifumikiru

Meaning

  • verbtake the plunge

Example

彼は海外で働くことに踏み切りました。kare wa kai gai de hatara ku ko to ni fu mi ki ri ma shi ta

He took the plunge and went to work abroad.

Illustration for 踏み切る (take the plunge)

More examples

彼女は何度も迷いましたが、ついに独立に踏み切りました。kano jo wa nan do mo mayo i ma shi ta ga tsu i ni doku ritsu ni fu mi ki ri ma shi ta

She hesitated many times, but finally took the plunge and became independent.

Core concept

Expresses pushing off from a point, as in a jump or takeoff, and figuratively committing to a course of action.

Common phrases

  • 導入に踏み切るdō nyū ni fu mi ki ru

    decide to introduce

  • 実施に踏み切るjis shi ni fu mi ki ru

    go ahead with implementation

  • 改革に踏み切るkai kaku ni fu mi ki ru

    undertake reforms

Similar words

思い切るomoikiru: To make a firm decision to do something despite uncertainty or risk.
決断するketsudansuru: To choose a course of action firmly after weighing the situation.
決意するketsuisuru: To form a strong intention to carry out a specific action.

Definition in Japanese

迷いを断ち切り、あることを実行する決心をすること。mayo i o ta chi ki ri a ru ko to o jik kō su ru kes shin o su ru ko to

Word origin

踏み切る (fumikiru) is made from 踏む (fumu, "step") and 切る (kiru, "cut"). It first referred to pushing off the ground with the foot and later came to mean making a firm decision to act.

Usage tips

  • In news and formal discussion, 踏み切る (fumikiru) often describes a government or company taking a significant step after careful consideration.

Other meanings

  • take offverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 踏み切りfumikiridecision to proceednoun

Word lists with this word