1.
to corner; to drive into a corner; to push to the brink
To chase or pressure someone until they have no escape or options left. Used both literally (physically cornering) and figuratively (emotionally or psychologically pushing someone to their limit).
犯人を追い詰めた。
They cornered the criminal.
借金に追い詰められて苦しんでいる。
I'm suffering, driven into a corner by debt.
自分を追い詰めすぎると、心も体も壊れてしまう。
If you push yourself too hard, both your mind and body will break down.
追い詰める is a transitive ichidan verb formed from 追う (to chase) + 詰める (to pack in, to close in).
ASPECT (ている):
追い詰めている describes the ongoing process of cornering someone. 追い詰められている describes being in a cornered state.
PARTICLE PATTERNS:
- Aを追い詰める (corner A)
- Aに追い詰められる (be cornered by A)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 犯人を追い詰める (corner a criminal)
- 精神的に追い詰める (push someone psychologically)
- 自分を追い詰める (push oneself too hard)
- 追い詰められた状況 (a cornered situation)
The passive form 追い詰められる is very common, describing the experience of being under extreme pressure.