1.
closing in on; pressing hard; approaching closely
To draw very close to a competitor, target, or enemy, either physically or figuratively. Often used in competitive contexts to describe nearly catching up or closing a gap.
二位のチームが首位に肉薄している。
The second-place team is closing in on first place.
敵の陣地に肉薄した。
They pressed close to the enemy's position.
選挙では野党の候補者が与党に肉薄する結果となった。
In the election, the opposition candidate came very close to the ruling party's candidate.
肉薄 literally means "flesh-thin," conveying the image of being so close that only a thin layer remains between two parties.
PARTICLE PATTERNS:
- [target]に肉薄する (close in on a target)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 首位に肉薄する (close in on first place)
- 敵に肉薄する (press close to the enemy)
- 真相に肉薄する (get close to the truth)
Originally a military term describing troops approaching the enemy at close range. Now widely used in sports, elections, and journalism to describe a close contest or a pursuit that is nearly successful.