撫(な)で下(お)ろす

なでおろす
verb (godan, transitive)
to smooth down; to feel relieved
1. to smooth down; to stroke downward
To gently run one's hand down over something to smooth or calm it.
猫(ねこ)の背中(せなか)を撫(な)で下(お)ろした。
I stroked the cat's back.
2. to feel relieved
To feel a sense of relief (used in the expression 胸(むね)を撫(な)で下(お)ろす).
無事(ぶじ)だと聞(き)いて胸(むね)を撫(な)で下(お)ろした。
I was relieved to hear that they were safe.
試験(しけん)に合格(ごうかく)して、やっと胸(むね)を撫(な)で下(お)ろした。
I finally felt relieved after passing the exam.

COMPOUND VERB STRUCTURE: 撫(な)でる (to stroke) + 下(お)ろす (to lower/bring down)

KEY EXPRESSION:

  • 胸(むね)を撫(な)で下(お)ろす (to feel relieved, literally 'to stroke down one's chest')

This is an idiomatic expression representing the physical gesture of relief.

TRANSITIVITY: Transitive verb (他動詞(たどうし)). Takes an object marked with を.

CONJUGATION: Godan verb (-す type)

  • 撫(な)で下(お)ろさない (negative)
  • 撫(な)で下(お)ろします (polite)
  • 撫(な)で下(お)ろして (te-form)
  • 撫(な)で下(お)ろした (past)

Related Words

Related: 撫(な)でる (to stroke)
core
Added 2026.1.19 8:14 · Revised 2026.1.24 23:24
07000/07099_nadeorosu