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Kotomora

こまねく

also: こまぬく

こ
ま
ね
く
Freq.Top 100,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-ku), transitive verb

fold one's arms

usually written using kana alone

Literally crossing one's arms over the chest. Often used in the set phrase 手をこまねく.

2

godan verb (-ku), transitive verb

stand by and do nothing; look on passively

usually written using kana alone

Idiomatic use in phrases like 手をこまねく or 腕をこまねく, meaning to watch without taking action when one should intervene.

See also: 手をこまねく · 腕をこまねく