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金玉が上がったり下がったり (きんたまがあがったりさがったり) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru'
on edge ; in suspense ; scared stiff
idiomatic expression male term, language, or name
Vivid, colloquial, and masculine expression for being extremely nervous or frightened, literally comparing the feeling to one's testicles moving up and down. Often used in casual male speech.
See also: 上がったり下がったり (あがったりさがったり)
て
いる
間あいだ
、
金きん
玉たま
が
上あ
がっ
たり
下さ
がっ
たり
だっ
た
。
While waiting for the exam results, I was on edge.
Similar words 上あ がったり 下さ がったり A more general expression meaning 'ups and downs' or 'fluctuating', without the vulgar or masculine connotation of 金玉が上がったり下がったり.
ハラハラ A common mimetic word for feeling suspense or anxiety, but lacks the crude, masculine imagery of 金玉が上がったり下がったり.
Etymology Literally 'one's testicles go up and down', a vivid idiomatic expression from colloquial male speech. The exact origin is uncertain, but it likely arose as a humorous, exaggerated metaphor for the physical sensation of fear or suspense.
