1.
to lean forward physically; to bend one's body forward
To physically lean one's upper body forward, typically out of interest, curiosity, or eagerness.
窓から身を乗り出す。
To lean out the window.
彼は興味深い話を聞いて身を乗り出した。
He leaned forward, intrigued by the interesting story.
観客が身を乗り出して試合を見守った。
The spectators leaned forward, watching the match intently.
電車のホームでは身を乗り出さないでください。
Please do not lean forward over the platform edge.
子どもたちは手品を見て身を乗り出しながら「すごい！」と叫んだ。
The children leaned forward excitedly watching the magic trick and shouted 'Amazing!'
2.
to take an active interest; to get involved eagerly
Used figuratively to describe becoming intensely interested in or engaged with something.
彼は興味深い話を聞いて身を乗り出した。
He leaned forward, intrigued by the interesting story.
観客が身を乗り出して試合を見守った。
The spectators leaned forward, watching the match intently.
新しいプロジェクトに社長自ら身を乗り出してきた。
The company president himself got personally involved in the new project.
子どもたちは手品を見て身を乗り出しながら「すごい！」と叫んだ。
The children leaned forward excitedly watching the magic trick and shouted 'Amazing!'
Composed of 身 (body) + を + 乗り出す (to lean out, to put forward). The physical action of leaning forward naturally extends to the figurative meaning of showing eager interest or personal involvement.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 窓から身を乗り出す: to lean out of a window
- 身を乗り出して聞く: to listen with great interest
- 身を乗り出して見る: to watch eagerly, leaning forward
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 前のめりになる: to lean forward; to be overly eager — can imply reckless eagerness
- 食いつく: to bite at; to show keen interest — more colloquial; implies jumping at an opportunity
- 興味を示す: to show interest — neutral; lacks the physical/visceral quality