まっしぐら
まっしぐら
adverb
headlong; straight ahead; at full speed
1.
headlong; straight ahead; at full speed
Moving directly toward something without hesitation or deviation, often with great speed or single-minded determination.
犬がまっしぐらに走った。
The dog ran straight ahead at full speed.
猫が餌にまっしぐらに向かった。
The cat headed straight for the food.
彼は夢に向かってまっしぐらに進んでいる。
He is heading straight toward his dream without hesitation.
このままでは破滅にまっしぐらだ。
At this rate, we're heading straight for ruin.
An expressive adverb conveying rapid, unwavering forward movement toward a goal or destination. It can describe both physical motion (running straight ahead) and figurative pursuits (chasing a dream or heading for disaster). Often used with the particle に.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- まっしぐらに走る: to run straight ahead
- まっしぐらに進む: to advance headlong
- まっしぐらに向かう: to head straight toward
- 破滅にまっしぐら: heading straight for ruin
- 成功にまっしぐら: heading straight for success
USAGE:
Often used for animals (especially cats drawn to food, a well-known image in Japanese) and for people pursuing goals with single-minded focus. Can have a positive nuance (determination) or negative nuance (recklessly heading for trouble).
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 一直線に: in a straight line — similar meaning but more neutral, less emotional intensity
- 一目散に: at full speed — emphasizes fleeing or rushing, often away from something