1.
fatal, deadly, ruinous
Something that leads to death, destruction, or ruin. Literally means "life-taker." Often used figuratively to describe a critical mistake or flaw that leads to someone's downfall.
その油断が命取りになった。
That carelessness proved fatal.
たった一つのミスが命取りになることもある。
Even a single mistake can prove fatal.
不祥事の隠蔽が政治家にとって命取りになった。
The cover-up of the scandal proved ruinous for the politician.
USAGE:
Almost always appears in the pattern ～が命取りになる (~ proved fatal/ruinous). Can be literal (leading to actual death) but is more commonly figurative, referring to career-ending mistakes, business failures, or critical errors in competition.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 命取りになる: to prove fatal/ruinous
- 油断が命取り: carelessness is fatal
- ～にとって命取り: fatal for ~