決(き)め手(て)

きめて

noun

deciding factor

1. deciding factor; clincher; trump card

The key element or move that determines an outcome. Used for the decisive factor in competitions, negotiations, arguments, or choices.

決(き)め手(て)に欠(か)ける。

To lack a deciding factor.

購入(こうにゅう)の決(き)め手(て)は価格(かかく)だった。

The deciding factor for the purchase was the price.

証拠(しょうこ)が不十分(ふじゅうぶん)で、有罪(ゆうざい)にする決(き)め手(て)がなかった。

The evidence was insufficient, and there was no clincher for a guilty verdict.

Usage

決(き)め手(て) literally combines 決(き)める (to decide) and 手(て) (hand/move), originally referring to a decisive move in sumo or martial arts. It now broadly means any deciding factor. The phrase 決(き)め手(て)に欠(か)ける (to lack a deciding factor) is very common and means that nothing stands out enough to tip the balance.

Common collocations

決(き)め手(て)に欠(か)ける: to lack a deciding factor
決(き)め手(て)になる: to become the deciding factor
決(き)め手(て)がない: there is no clincher
最大(さいだい)の決(き)め手(て): the biggest deciding factor

Related Words

Compare: 決定打(けっていだ) (decisive blow)

Compare: 決定要素(けっていようそ) (decisive factor)

general

Added 2026.2.24 16:24 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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