目(ま)の当(あ)たり

まのあたり
adverb
before one's very eyes, firsthand
descriptive
1. before one's very eyes, firsthand, in person
Witnessing something directly and personally rather than hearing about it secondhand. Almost always used in the form 目(ま)の当(あ)たりにする (to witness firsthand).
事故(じこ)を目(ま)の当(あ)たりにした。
I witnessed the accident firsthand.
被害(ひがい)の大(おお)きさを目(ま)の当(あ)たりにして驚(おどろ)いた。
I was shocked when I saw the extent of the damage firsthand.
自然(しぜん)の壮大(そうだい)さを目(ま)の当(あ)たりにすると、人間(にんげん)の小(ちい)ささを感(かん)じる。
When you witness the grandeur of nature firsthand, you feel how small humans are.

Usage

Almost exclusively used in the fixed pattern 目(ま)の当(あ)たりにする (to witness, to see with one's own eyes). Carries a strong nuance of personal, direct experience — often of something surprising, shocking, or impressive.

Common collocations

general
Added 2026.2.26 23:22 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
13500/13743_manoatari