天てん目もく山ざん

noun

line between victory and defeat; decisive point

Idiomatic expression derived from the historical Battle of Tenmokuzan, where the Takeda clan met its end. Used figuratively to refer to a critical turning point or the thin line between winning and losing.

• この試し合あいはまさに天てん目もく山ざんだ。

  This match is truly the line between victory and defeat.

• 交こう渉しょうは天てん目もく山ざんに立たたされている。

  The negotiations are at a decisive point.