引(ひ)っ張(ぱ)りだこ

ひっぱりだこ
noun
in great demand; very popular
informalpersonidiom
1. in great demand; very popular; sought after by everyone
Describes a person or thing that is extremely popular and wanted by many people at the same time. Often used when someone is so in demand that they are being pulled in all directions.
彼女(かのじょ)は今(いま)引(ひ)っ張(ぱ)りだこだ。
She is in great demand right now.
あの歌手(かしゅ)はテレビで引(ひ)っ張(ぱ)りだこになった。
That singer became extremely popular on TV.
IT技術者(ぎじゅつしゃ)は人手不足(ひとでぶそく)の影響(えいきょう)で各社(かくしゃ)から引(ひ)っ張(ぱ)りだこの状態(じょうたい)が続(つづ)いている。
Due to the labor shortage, IT engineers continue to be in high demand from every company.

An idiomatic expression meaning someone or something is so popular and sought-after that everyone is trying to get them. The word literally comes from the image of a dried octopus (蛸(たこ)) being stretched out (引(ひ)っ張(ぱ)る) with its legs pulled in all directions.

Usage

Typically used as a predicate with だ or になる. Most commonly describes people (performers, professionals, experts) but can also describe products or services.

Common patterns

  • 引(ひ)っ張(ぱ)りだこだ: is in great demand
  • 引(ひ)っ張(ぱ)りだこになる: to become very popular
  • 引(ひ)っ張(ぱ)りだこの状態(じょうたい): a state of being in great demand

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 人気者(にんきもの) (popular person)
Compare: 売(う)れっ子(こ) (in-demand person)
general
Added 2026.4.2 11:46 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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