1.
to clench one's teeth; to grit one's teeth
To press the upper and lower teeth tightly together. Used both literally (physical clenching) and figuratively to describe enduring pain, hardship, or frustration with determination.
歯を食いしばって耐えた。
I gritted my teeth and endured it.
痛みに歯を食いしばりながら、ゴールまで走り続けた。
Gritting my teeth against the pain, I kept running to the finish line.
悔しくて涙が出そうだったが、歯を食いしばって泣かなかった。
I was so frustrated I nearly cried, but I gritted my teeth and held back the tears.
USAGE:
Almost always used in the phrase 歯を食いしばる. The figurative meaning of enduring hardship with determination is very common and carries a strong emotional tone of perseverance.
CONJUGATION:
Godan verb (る → ら/り/る/れ/ろ): 食いしばらない, 食いしばります, 食いしばる, 食いしばれば, 食いしばろう
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 歯を食いしばる (to clench/grit one's teeth)
- 歯を食いしばって耐える (to grit one's teeth and endure)
- 歯を食いしばって頑張る (to grit one's teeth and persevere)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 食いしばる: to clench teeth (endurance, determination)
- 噛みしめる: to bite down on; to savor (can be physical or emotional)
- 我慢する: to endure, to put up with (broader, no physical image)