(てっとうてつび)

てっとうてつび
adverb
thoroughly; from beginning to end
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.
(かれ)徹頭徹尾(てっとうてつび)自分(じぶん)意見(いけん)(つらぬ)いた。
He stuck to his opinion through and through.
この映画(えいが)徹頭徹尾(てっとうてつび)シリアスな作品(さくひん)で、(わら)えるシーンは(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 ((あたま)) to the very end (()). (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:

  • 徹頭徹尾(てっとうてつび)反対(はんたい)する (to oppose completely)
  • 徹頭徹尾(てっとうてつび)(つらぬ)く (to maintain consistently)
  • 徹頭徹尾(てっとうてつび)一貫(いっかん)している (to be consistent throughout)