noun
Literal meaning: the tip of an arrow. Not commonly used in everyday conversation; mostly found in historical or archery contexts.
矢先が的に深く突き刺さった。
The arrowhead pierced deeply into the target.
noun
target of an arrow; brunt of an attack
Extended from the literal arrowhead to the direction or target of an arrow, and figuratively to the brunt of criticism or attack. Often used in set phrases like 矢先に立つ (to bear the brunt).
彼は非難の矢先に立たされた。
He was made to bear the brunt of the criticism.
noun
the very moment; just when
Used in the pattern 〜した矢先に to mean 'just when one did something, (something else happened)'. Emphasizes the immediacy and unexpectedness of the second event.
See also: 矢先に
出かけようとした矢先に、電話が鳴った。
Just as I was about to leave, the phone rang.
問題が解決した矢先に、新たなトラブルが発生した。
Just when the problem was solved, a new trouble arose.