1.
final stage; climax; endgame
The concluding phase of an event, project, negotiation, or competition. Originally a kabuki theater term for the last act.
交渉は大詰めを迎えた。
The negotiations have reached their final stage.
選挙戦もいよいよ大詰めだ。
The election campaign is finally in its final phase.
プロジェクトが大詰めを迎えているので、毎日残業している。
The project is in its final stage, so I'm working overtime every day.
Originally from kabuki theater, where 大詰め referred to the final act of a play. Now widely used for the concluding phase of any process or event. Almost always appears in the pattern 大詰めを迎える (to reach the final stage).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 大詰めを迎える: to reach the final stage
- 大詰めに入る: to enter the final phase
- いよいよ大詰め: at last, the final stage
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 佳境: the best/most exciting part — focuses on the climactic interest
- 最終段階: final stage — more formal/technical
- クライマックス: climax — loanword, used for stories and events