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耳目を驚かす (じもくをおどろかす) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, godan verb (-su)
take by surprise ; startle ; shock
Literary expression meaning to surprise or shock people, literally 'startle ears and eyes'. Often used when something unexpected attracts widespread attention.
彼かれ
の
突とつ
然ぜん
の
辞じ
任にん
は
一いち
同どう
の
耳じ
目もく
を
驚おどろ
かし
た
。
His sudden resignation shocked everyone.
Kanji 驚 wonder, be surprised, frightened Etymology A set phrase combining 耳目 (ears and eyes, meaning 'attention' or 'the public') with 驚かす (to surprise). The exact origin is uncertain, but it is a classical Chinese-derived expression used in formal or literary Japanese.
