1.
crucial moment to persevere; time to stand firm
A critical point where one must endure hardship or exert maximum effort. Implies that giving up now would waste previous effort, so one should push through.
ここが踏ん張りどころだ。
This is the moment to hang in there.
試験前の一週間が踏ん張りどころだ。
The week before the exam is the crucial time to push through.
売上が落ちている今こそ踏ん張りどころだと社長は社員に語った。
The president told the employees that now, when sales are declining, is the time to persevere.
USAGE:
Often used with ここが or 今が to mark the present moment as the critical time to endure. Common in sports, business, and exam preparation contexts. Carries a strong motivational tone.
FORMATION:
踏ん張る (to brace oneself, to stand firm) + どころ (place/time for doing something).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- ここが踏ん張りどころ (this is the time to stand firm)
- 今が踏ん張りどころ (now is the time to persevere)
- 正念場と踏ん張りどころ (critical juncture and time to endure)