noun
change of attitude; shift in stance; quick adaptation
Refers to a person's ability to quickly change their attitude, opinion, or position in response to circumstances. Often used in political, business, or personal contexts.
彼の変わり身の早さには驚かされる。
I'm amazed at how quickly he changes his stance.
政治家に必要なのは変わり身の技術だ。
What a politician needs is the skill to adapt quickly.
noun
lightness of foot; dodging ability
Sumo term for a wrestler's agility and ability to dodge an opponent's attack. Can also be used figuratively in other contexts to describe nimble avoidance.
あの力士は変わり身が素早く、相手の攻撃をかわす。
That sumo wrestler has quick footwork and dodges his opponent's attacks.
A common phrase using 変わり身, meaning 'quickness to change one's stance'.
Compound of 変わり (kawari, 'change') + 身 (mi, 'body, oneself'). The sumo sense likely developed from the idea of changing one's body position quickly.