1.
small beanbag; juggling ball
A small ball or beanbag, as used in the traditional game お手玉. In everyday Japanese it appears mostly in the idiom 手玉に取る.
子どもが手玉で遊んでいる。
A child is playing with beanbags.
彼女は相手を手玉に取った。
She wrapped her opponent around her finger.
交渉相手を手玉に取って、有利な条件を引き出した。
He played the other party at the negotiating table and drew out favorable terms.
Literally a small ball or beanbag, as used in the traditional game お手玉. In everyday Japanese it appears mostly in the idiom below.
KEY IDIOM:
- 手玉に取る: to manipulate someone at will; to wrap around one's finger
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 相手を手玉に取る: to toy with an opponent
- お手玉: the traditional beanbag game