1.
to be the first to speak; to start things off; to break the ice
To be the one who initiates a discussion, debate, or action. Often used when someone is the first to speak up or take action in a group setting.
彼が議論の口火を切った。
He started off the discussion.
誰も発言しないので、私が口火を切ることにした。
Since nobody was speaking up, I decided to start things off.
反対派の代表が口火を切り、次々と意見が出された。
The representative of the opposition started things off, and opinions poured out one after another.
Originally a military term: 口火 refers to the fuse or primer of a firearm, so 口火を切る literally meant 'to light the fuse' or 'to open fire.' Now used figuratively to mean being the first to speak or act, triggering a chain of events.
ETYMOLOGY:
口火 is the opening of a furnace or the touch hole of a cannon — the small ignition point that sets off the main charge. The metaphor extends to being the catalyst that sets a discussion or movement in motion.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 議論の口火を切る — to kick off a debate
- 批判の口火を切る — to be the first to criticize
- 改革の口火を切る — to spark reform
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 先陣を切る — to take the lead, to be at the vanguard; broader in scope, not limited to speech
- 火蓋を切る — to open hostilities; similar military origin, often used for the start of a battle or fierce competition