1.
both arms
Both of one's arms. Used to emphasize that both arms are involved in an action.
両腕で抱える。
To hold in both arms.
両腕を広げて迎えた。
I spread both arms wide to welcome them.
子どもを両腕でしっかり抱きしめた。
I held the child tightly with both arms.
2.
right-hand men, two trusted aides
Two people who serve as one's most trusted and capable assistants. A figurative extension from the literal meaning.
社長の両腕として会社を支えている。
They support the company as the president's right-hand men.
Figurative usage
彼は監督の両腕と呼ばれるコーチだ。
He is a coach known as the manager's right-hand man.
優秀な二人の部下を両腕に、新しいプロジェクトを始めた。
With two excellent subordinates as my right-hand men, I started a new project.
両腕 literally refers to both of a person's arms, emphasizing that both are involved in an action such as holding, spreading, or lifting. Figuratively, it can mean two trusted aides or right-hand men who support a leader, extending the image of 片腕 (one's right-hand man) to a pair.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 両腕で抱える (to hold in both arms)
- 両腕を広げる (to spread both arms)
- 両腕を組む (to fold both arms)
- 両腕で抱きしめる (to embrace with both arms)
SIMILAR COMPOUNDS:
- 両手 (both hands)
- 両足 (both legs)
- 片腕 (one arm; one's right-hand man — singular)
USAGE:
- The literal sense (sense 1) is straightforward and common in physical descriptions
- The figurative sense (sense 2) appears in business and organizational contexts
- The 両 prefix follows the same pattern as 両手, 両足, 両目