1.
tug-of-war
A sport or game in which two teams pull on opposite ends of a rope, each trying to pull the other team past a center line.
運動会で綱引きをした。
We played tug-of-war at the sports day.
綱引きで白組が勝った。
The white team won the tug-of-war.
綱引きはチームワークが大切だ。
Teamwork is important in tug-of-war.
2.
power struggle; tug-of-war (figurative)
A competitive back-and-forth struggle between opposing forces, such as political factions, businesses, or negotiators.
与党と野党の綱引きが続いている。
The power struggle between the ruling and opposition parties continues.
労使の綱引きは長期化している。
The tug-of-war between labor and management has dragged on.
両国の外交交渉は綱引きの状態が続いている。
The diplomatic negotiations between the two countries remain in a tug-of-war.
A compound of 綱 (rope) and 引き (pulling).
LITERAL SENSE:
One of the most popular events at Japanese 運動会 (sports days) held in schools and communities. Two teams pull opposite ends of a thick rope, making it a test of collective strength.
FIGURATIVE SENSE:
Commonly used in news and politics to describe competitive back-and-forth between opposing sides. Unlike English "tug-of-war," the Japanese figurative use is standard and not at all clichéd.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 綱引きをする: to play tug-of-war
- 綱引きに勝つ/負ける: to win/lose tug-of-war
- 政治的な綱引き: a political tug-of-war
- 綱引きが続く: the power struggle continues