しっぽ
しっぽ
noun
tail
1.
tail (of an animal)
The tail of an animal. The most common everyday word for tail, used especially when talking about pets.
犬がしっぽを振る。
The dog wags its tail.
猫のしっぽは長い。
The cat's tail is long.
しっぽを踏まないように気をつけて。
Be careful not to step on its tail.
2.
end, tail end
The end or trailing part of something, used figuratively.
しっぽを出す。
To show one's true colors (lit. 'to let one's tail show').
しっぽを掴む。
To catch someone red-handed (lit. 'to grab the tail').
犯人のしっぽを掴んだ。
We caught the culprit's trail.
KANJI: Can be written as 尻尾.
WORD FORMATION: From 尻 (buttocks) + 尾 (tail).
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- しっぽを振る (to wag one's tail)
- しっぽを巻いて逃げる (to run away with one's tail between one's legs)
- しっぽを出す (to reveal one's true nature)
- しっぽを掴む (to catch someone's trail/evidence)
ALTERNATIVE: 尾 is a more literary/formal word for tail.