縛ばくにつく

Meanings

1

expression, godan verb (-ku)

be arrested; be put in bonds

Literary or formal expression for being arrested or bound, often used in historical or dramatic contexts. The verb つく here is an old usage meaning 'to be bound' or 'to be tied'.

犯はん人にんはついに縛ばくについた。
The criminal was finally arrested.
彼かれは縛ばくにつく覚かく悟ごを決きめた。
He prepared himself to be put in bonds.

Written forms

縛ばくにつく
Standard kanji spelling for this expression.
縛ばくに就つく
Variant using 就く, which can mean 'to take a position' or 'to be bound', but less common for this expression.
縛ばくに付つく
irregular kanji usage
Irregular kanji usage; 付く normally means 'to attach', making this spelling non-standard for this meaning.

Kanji

縛truss, arrest, bind
就concerning, settle, take position
付adhere, attach, refer to

Similar words

逮たい捕ほされる
Modern, neutral term for 'to be arrested'. 縛につく is more literary and carries a nuance of being physically bound or restrained.
捕つかまる
Common colloquial term for 'to be caught' or 'to be arrested'. 縛につく is much more formal and old-fashioned.

Etymology

The expression combines 縛 (baku, 'binding' or 'bond') with the verb つく, which in this context is an older usage meaning 'to be bound' or 'to be tied'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it is a set phrase meaning 'to be arrested' or 'to be put in bonds'.