徹頭徹尾(てっとうてつび)

てっとうてつび
adverb
thoroughly; from beginning to end
formalwrittenliterarydescriptive
1. thoroughly; from beginning to end; completely; through and through
An emphatic expression meaning to do something consistently and completely, without wavering or compromising, from start to finish.
徹頭徹尾(てっとうてつび)反対(はんたい)した。
I opposed it completely.
彼(かれ)は徹頭徹尾(てっとうてつび)自分(じぶん)の意見(いけん)を貫(つらぬ)いた。
He stuck to his opinion through and through.
この映画(えいが)は徹頭徹尾(てっとうてつび)シリアスな作品(さくひん)で、笑(わら)えるシーンは一(ひと)つもなかった。
This movie was serious through and through, without a single funny scene.

Etymology

A four-character compound (四字熟語(よじじゅくご)) meaning "piercing head, piercing tail" — thorough from the very beginning (頭(あたま)) to the very end (尾(お)). 徹(てつ) means to penetrate or go through completely.

Usage

A formal, emphatic adverb used primarily in written language and formal speech. Emphasizes unwavering consistency.

Common collocations

general
Added 2026.3.14 15:28 · Revised 2026.9.4 9:35
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