引(ひ)き立(た)て役(やく)

ひきたてやく
noun
foil; supporting role that makes others look better
1. foil; person or thing that makes another look better by contrast
A person, character, or element whose purpose is to highlight or enhance the qualities of another, often the main figure. Equivalent to a 'foil' or 'straight man' in English.
いつも引(ひ)き立(た)て役(やく)にされる。
I always end up being the foil.
脇役(わきやく)は主役(しゅやく)の引(ひ)き立(た)て役(やく)だ。
The supporting actor is a foil for the lead.
シンプルなドレスが彼女(かのじょ)のアクセサリーの引(ひ)き立(た)て役(やく)になっている。
The simple dress serves as a foil to highlight her accessories.

引(ひ)き立(た)て役(やく) comes from 引(ひ)き立(た)てる (to make something stand out) + 役(やく) (role). It can refer to people, characters, or even objects that enhance something else by contrast.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 引(ひ)き立(た)て役(やく)になる — to become a foil
  • 引(ひ)き立(た)て役(やく)にされる — to be made into a foil (passive, slightly negative)
  • 引(ひ)き立(た)て役(やく)に回(まわ)る — to take on the foil role

RELATED WORDS:

  • 引(ひ)き立(た)てる — to make something stand out
  • 脇役(わきやく) — supporting role
  • 主役(しゅやく) — lead role
general
Added 2026.3.22 11:29
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