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頂門の一針 (ちょうもんのいっしん) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, noun
painful reproach ; a needle in one's scalp
idiomatic expression
Idiomatic expression for a sharp, stinging criticism that hits a weak point or exposes a fault. The literal image is of a needle piercing the top of the head.
じょう
司し
から
の
一ひと
言こと
が
頂ちょう
門もん
の
一いっ
針しん
と
なり
、
自じ
分ぶん
の
甘あま
さ
に
気き
づい
た
。
A single word from my boss became a needle in my scalp, making me realize my own naivety.
Kanji 頂 place on the head, receive, top of head 門 gate, counter for cannons Similar words 痛つう 烈れつ な 批ひ 判はん A more literal and common phrase for 'scathing criticism', without the idiomatic or literary flavor of 頂門の一針.
図ず 星ぼし Means 'bull's-eye' or 'hitting the mark', often used when someone's guess or criticism is exactly right, but lacks the painful, reproachful nuance.
Etymology The expression originates from the image of a needle being inserted into the top of the head (頂門) as a form of sharp, awakening reproach. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it is a classical idiomatic phrase.
