バトン
ばとん
noun
baton
1.
baton, relay baton
A short stick passed between runners in a relay race. Also used figuratively for passing on a role, responsibility, or tradition to the next person.
バトンを渡す。
To pass the baton.
バトンを落として順位が下がった。
We dropped the baton and fell in the rankings.
先輩から後輩へバトンを渡すように、伝統が受け継がれている。
Traditions are carried on, as if passing the baton from seniors to juniors.
USAGE:
バトンを渡す (to pass the baton) is extremely common both literally (in relay races) and figuratively (handing over responsibility). The figurative use appears frequently in business and organizational contexts.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- バトンを渡す: to pass the baton
- バトンを受け取る: to receive the baton
- バトンを落とす: to drop the baton
- バトンタッチ: handover, passing the baton (wasei-eigo)
- バトンパス: baton pass (in relay races)
バトンタッチ is a wasei-eigo expression meaning a smooth handover of duties. It is not used in English.