舌(した)を巻(ま)く

したをまく
expression, verb phrase
to be amazed; to be astonished; to be left speechless
1. to be amazed; to be astonished; to be dumbfounded
To be so impressed or surprised by someone's skill, achievement, or quality that one is left speechless. The idiom comes from the image of rolling one's tongue back in amazement, unable to speak.
彼(かれ)の演奏(えんそう)には舌(した)を巻(ま)いた。
I was amazed by his performance.
その(その)技術(ぎじゅつ)の高(たか)さに舌(した)を巻(ま)く。
I'm astonished at the high level of skill.
専門家(せんもんか)も舌(した)を巻(ま)くほどの知識(ちしき)だ。
The knowledge is so impressive that even experts are amazed.

IDIOM ORIGIN:
The expression literally means "to roll up one's tongue." It describes being so amazed or impressed that one is rendered speechless, as if the tongue has curled back.

GRAMMAR:
〜に舌(した)を巻(ま)く - to be amazed at/by ~

CONJUGATION:

  • 舌(した)を巻(ま)く (present)
  • 舌(した)を巻(ま)いた (past)
  • 舌(した)を巻(ま)くほど (to the extent of being amazed)

NUANCE:
Always positive - used when impressed by excellence, skill, or achievement. Not used for negative surprises.

USAGE CONTEXT:

  • 技術(ぎじゅつ) - skill, technique
  • 才能(さいのう) - talent
  • 知識(ちしき) - knowledge
  • 演奏(えんそう) - performance
  • 実力(じつりょく) - ability

SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:

  • 目(め)を見張(みは)る - to be wide-eyed with surprise
  • 度肝(どぎも)を抜(ぬ)かれる - to be bowled over
  • 脱帽(だつぼう)する - to take off one's hat (to show respect)

REGISTER:
Neutral. Common in both spoken and written Japanese.

core
Added 2026.1.19 17:18 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
07000/07437_shitawomaku