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凄みを利かす (すごみをきかす) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

凄すごみを利きかす

Meanings

1

expression, godan verb (-su)

threaten; intimidate; put on a menacing air

rare term

Rare expression meaning to deliberately project an intimidating or threatening presence, often through tone, gaze, or attitude. More common as 凄みを利かせる.

See also: 凄みを利かせる

彼かれは凄すごみを利きかして、相あい手てを黙だまらせた。
He intimidated the other person into silence by putting on a menacing air.

Written forms

凄すごみを利きかす
Standard kanji form; 利かす is the most common kanji for this expression.
凄すごみを効きかす
Variant using 効かす; also seen but less common than 利かす.

Kanji

凄uncanny, weird, threatening
利profit, advantage, benefit
効merit, efficacy, efficiency

Similar words

凄すごみを利きかせる
More common ichidan verb form with the same meaning; 凄みを利かす is a rarer godan variant.

Etymology

Phrase combining 凄み (awesomeness, dreadfulness) with 利かす (to exert, to make effective). The godan form 利かす is a less common variant of 利かせる.