打(う)つ手(て)がない

うつてがない

expression

have no recourse; nothing can be done; at a loss

1. have no recourse; nothing can be done; no way to deal with it

An expression meaning there are no available measures or strategies to resolve a problem. Literally 'there is no move to play,' from the game of go or shogi.

もう打(う)つ手(て)がない。

There's nothing more we can do.

医者(いしゃ)は打(う)つ手(て)がないと言(い)った。

The doctor said nothing more could be done.

赤字(あかじ)が続(つづ)き、経営陣(けいえいじん)は打(う)つ手(て)がない状態(じょうたい)に追(お)い込(こ)まれた。

Losses continued, and the management was driven into a state where nothing could be done.

Literally "there is no move to play" — a metaphor from board games (go, shogi) where no viable move remains. Expresses helplessness in the face of a problem that cannot be solved.

Forms

打(う)つ手(て)がなくなる: to run out of options
打(う)つ手(て)なし: no recourse (more concise form)
打(う)つ手(て)を失(うしな)う: to lose all options

Similar words

手(て)の施(ほどこ)しようがない: nothing can be done (more formal)
お手上(てあ)げ: throwing up one's hands; giving up
為(な)す術(すべ)がない: there is nothing one can do (literary)

Etymology

From board game terminology — 打(う)つ手(て) refers to a move or play one can make. When there are no more moves available, one has lost.

Related Words

Compare: お手上(てあ)げ (throwing up one's hands)

general

Added 2026.4.2 0:28 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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