きりきり舞まい

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb

whirling; spinning around

Describes literal spinning or whirling motion, often in a dance or dizzying movement. Can be used as a noun or a suru-verb.

• こまがきりきり舞まいしている。

  The top is spinning around.

• 彼かれは嬉うれしさのあまり、その場ばできりきり舞まいを始はじめた。

  He was so happy that he started whirling around on the spot.

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb

panicking; rushing around frantically

Figurative use: being so busy or flustered that one runs around in circles, often due to pressure or panic. Common in expressions like きりきり舞いする.

• 仕し事ごとが多おおすぎて、毎まい日にちきりきり舞まいだ。

  I have so much work that I'm rushing around frantically every day.

• 急きゅうな来らい客きゃくで母ははは台だい所どころできりきり舞まいしていた。

  With unexpected guests, my mother was panicking and rushing around in the kitchen.