1.
restraint; holding down; control; check
The act or means of keeping something under control — an emotion, a rise in prices, or one's authority over others.
感情の抑えがきかない。
I can't keep my emotions in check.
彼は若手への抑えが利く。
He commands the respect of the younger staff.
物価上昇の抑えとして対策を取った。
They took measures as a check on rising prices.
2.
closer; relief pitcher who finishes the game (baseball)
The relief pitcher brought in to protect a lead and record the final outs, typically in the last inning.
あのチームの抑えは頼りになる。
That team's closer is reliable.
九回に抑えが登板した。
The closer took the mound in the ninth inning.
抑えの投手が最後の打者を三振に仕留めた。
The closing pitcher struck out the final batter.
The noun form of 抑える (to hold down, to restrain). The baseball 'closer' sense pictures the pitcher who holds the opponent down at the end of the game.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 抑えが利く: to have control or authority (over people)
- 抑えがきかない: to be unable to keep something in check
- 抑えの投手: closing pitcher
SIMILAR WORDS:
- クローザー: closer — the loanword for the same baseball role
- 中継ぎ: middle reliever — pitches earlier, before the closer