1.
to dig in one's nails; to scratch with nails; to claw
To press or scrape the fingernails into a surface or into someone's skin. Used both literally for the physical action and figuratively to describe desperate clinging or grasping.
猫が爪を立てた。
The cat dug in its claws.
彼女は腕に爪を立てて痛がった。
She dug her nails into her arm and winced in pain.
必死に崖に爪を立てて、なんとか落ちずに済んだ。
I desperately clawed at the cliff and somehow managed not to fall.
A vivid physical expression using 爪 (nail, claw) and 立てる (to set up, to make stand). The literal meaning describes the action of pressing nails into a surface. Figuratively, it conveys desperation, clinging, or aggressive intent.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 肌に爪を立てる: to dig nails into skin
- 地面に爪を立てる: to claw at the ground
- 必死に爪を立てる: to desperately claw
RELATED EXPRESSIONS:
- 爪を研ぐ: to sharpen one's claws — to prepare for action or competition
- 爪痕を残す: to leave claw marks — to leave a lasting impact