ホームラン
ほーむらん
noun
home run; big hit; major success
1.
home run (baseball)
A hit in baseball that allows the batter to round all bases and score. One of the most exciting plays in baseball.
ホームランを打った。
He hit a home run.
満塁ホームランで逆転した。
They came from behind with a grand slam.
彼は今季三十本のホームランを打って本塁打王に輝いた。
He hit thirty home runs this season and was crowned home run champion.
2.
big hit; major success; knockout
Used figuratively to describe a spectacular success or achievement, similar to English 'hitting it out of the park.'
あの企画はホームランだった。
That project was a home run.
今回の新商品はホームラン級のヒットだ。
This new product is a blockbuster hit.
ヒットを積み重ねるよりも、一発ホームランを狙うタイプの経営者だ。
He's the type of businessman who goes for the big win rather than building up small successes.
A loanword from English, deeply embedded in Japanese culture due to the enormous popularity of baseball in Japan. Also written as 本塁打 in formal sports writing.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- ホームランを打つ: to hit a home run
- 満塁ホームラン: grand slam
- 逆転ホームラン: come-from-behind home run
- ホームラン級: home-run-level (spectacular)
- 本塁打王: home run champion
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
Baseball (野球) is Japan's most popular spectator sport. Home run records and home run derbies receive extensive media coverage. The figurative use of ホームラン is very common in business and everyday conversation to describe any outstanding success.