1.
letdown; disappointment; anticlimax
the feeling of disappointment when expectations are not met, or when someone avoids confrontation
肩透かしを食らった。
I was let down / disappointed.
期待していたのに肩透かしだった。
I was expecting something, but it was a letdown.
彼の返事は肩透かしだった。
His response was disappointing / evasive.
2.
shoulder dodge (sumo)
a sumo technique where a wrestler sidesteps an opponent's charge, causing them to miss
相撲で肩透かしを決める。
To execute a shoulder dodge in sumo.
立ち合いで肩透かしを狙う。
To aim for a shoulder dodge at the initial charge.
見事な肩透かしで勝利した。
Won with a splendid shoulder dodge.
肩透かし comes from sumo but is commonly used figuratively.
KANJI BREAKDOWN:
- 肩 (shoulder)
- 透かし (letting through, dodging)
ETYMOLOGY:
Originally a sumo technique where a wrestler sidesteps at the initial charge (立ち合い), causing the opponent to miss and lose balance.
SENSE 1 (Figurative - disappointment):
- 肩透かしを食う/くらう (to be let down)
- 肩透かしを食わせる (to let someone down)
SENSE 2 (Sumo technique):
One of the official winning techniques (決まり手) in sumo.
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 拍子抜け (anticlimax)
- がっかり (disappointment)
- 期待はずれ (unmet expectations)
Related Words
Synonym:
拍子抜け (anticlimax)