爪(つめ)を立(た)てる

つめをたてる

expression

to dig in one's nails; to scratch with nails

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(ねこ)が爪(つめ)を立(た)てた。

The cat dug in its claws.

彼女(かのじょ)は腕(うで)に爪(つめ)を立(た)てて痛(いた)がった。

She dug her nails into her arm and winced in pain.

必死(ひっし)に崖(がけ)に爪(つめ)を立(た)てて、なんとか落(お)ちずに済(す)んだ。

I desperately clawed at the cliff and somehow managed not to fall.

A vivid physical expression using 爪(つめ) (nail, claw) and 立(た)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(はだ)に爪(つめ)を立(た)てる: to dig nails into skin
地面(じめん)に爪(つめ)を立(た)てる: to claw at the ground
必死(ひっし)に爪(つめ)を立(た)てる: to desperately claw

Related words

爪(つめ)を研(と)ぐ: to sharpen one's claws — to prepare for action or competition
爪痕(つめあと)を残(のこ)す: to leave claw marks — to leave a lasting impact

general

Added 2026.5.5 1:18 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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