決定打(けっていだ)

けっていだ
noun
decisive blow; clincher; knockout punch
1. decisive blow; clincher; deciding factor
Something that conclusively determines an outcome. Originally from sports (a decisive hit or play), now widely used figuratively for the final factor that settles a matter.
決定打(けっていだ)に欠(か)ける試合(しあい)だった。
It was a match that lacked a decisive blow.
There is still no conclusive solution to this problem.
彼(かれ)の証言(しょうげん)が裁判(さいばん)の決定打(けっていだ)になった。
His testimony became the decisive factor in the trial.

A compound of 決定(けってい) (decision) + 打(だ) (hit/blow). Originally a sports term (a decisive hit), now widely used figuratively for anything that conclusively settles a matter.

Common patterns

  • 決定打(けっていだ)に欠(か)ける: to lack a decisive factor (very common — often describes indecisive situations)
  • 決定打(けっていだ)を放(はな)つ: to deliver a decisive blow
  • 決定打(けっていだ)になる: to become the clincher
  • 決定打(けっていだ)がない: there is no decisive factor

Usage

Frequently used in sports commentary, news, business discussions, and everyday conversation. The negative pattern (決定打(けっていだ)に欠(か)ける) is especially common.

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