拍車(はくしゃ)をかける

はくしゃをかける
expression
to spur on; to accelerate (a trend)
idiomchange
1. to spur on; to accelerate (a trend)
Literally 'to apply the spurs.' To make a trend or process move faster, often one that is already under way and frequently an unwelcome one.
不安(ふあん)に拍車(はくしゃ)をかける。
It heightens the anxiety.
円安(えんやす)が物価高(ぶっかだか)に拍車(はくしゃ)をかけた。
The weak yen accelerated the rise in prices.
SNSの普及(ふきゅう)が若者(わかもの)の活字離(かつじばな)れに拍車(はくしゃ)をかけている。
The spread of social media is speeding up young people's drift away from reading.

拍車(はくしゃ) is a rider's spur.

Common patterns

  • XがYに拍車(はくしゃ)をかける: X accelerates Y
  • Yに拍車(はくしゃ)がかかる: Y speeds up (intransitive form)

Usage

Common in news and commentary about trends: 人口減少(じんこうげんしょう), 少子化(しょうしか), 物価高(ぶっかだか). It can describe a welcome change (改革(かいかく)に拍車(はくしゃ)をかける), but most uses report a worsening.

general
Added 2026.10.5 10:57 · Revised 2026.10.5 10:59
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