頭(あたま)を抱(かか)える

あたまをかかえる

expression, verb phrase

to be at a loss; to be troubled; to hold one's head in one's hands

1. to be at a loss; to be troubled; to be deeply worried

To be so worried, troubled, or perplexed by a difficult situation that one holds one's head in distress. Expresses a state of being unable to find a solution or way forward.

頭(あたま)を抱(かか)えてしまった。

I was at a complete loss.

借金(しゃっきん)の返済(へんさい)に頭(あたま)を抱(かか)えている。

I'm troubled about paying back my debts.

人手不足(ひとでぶそく)で会社(かいしゃ)は頭(あたま)を抱(かか)えている。

The company is troubled by a shortage of workers.

息子(むすこ)の進路(しんろ)について頭(あたま)を抱(かか)えている。

I'm worrying about my son's future path.

予算(よさん)が足(た)りなくて、担当者(たんとうしゃ)は頭(あたま)を抱(かか)えている。

The person in charge is at a loss because the budget isn't enough.

Etymology

Literally "to hold one's head (in one's hands)." This describes the physical gesture of distress when overwhelmed by problems, and idiomatically means to be deeply troubled or at a loss.

Common patterns

〜に頭(あたま)を抱(かか)える - to be troubled by/about ~
〜で頭(あたま)を抱(かか)える - to be troubled because of ~

頭(あたま)を抱(かか)える (present/future)
頭(あたま)を抱(かか)えている (progressive - currently troubled)
頭(あたま)を抱(かか)えた (past)

Usage

Common causes

問題(もんだい) - problems
借金(しゃっきん) - debt
人間関係(にんげんかんけい) - relationships
仕事(しごと) - work
子供(こども)のこと - matters concerning children

Similar words

悩(なや)む - to worry, to be troubled
困(こま)り果(は)てる - to be at wit's end
途方(とほう)に暮(く)れる - to be at a loss
頭(あたま)を悩(なや)ます - to rack one's brains
手(て)を焼(や)く - to have trouble with

Register

Neutral. Common in everyday conversation and news reporting.

Related Words

Compare: 悩(なや)む (to worry, to be troubled)

Compare: 途方(とほう)に暮(く)れる (to be at a loss)

Compare: 手(て)を焼(や)く (to have trouble with)

core

Added 2026.1.19 17:19 · Revised 2026.10.11 22:20

07000/07439_atamawokakaeru