へっぴり腰ごし

へ

っ

ぴ

り

ご

し

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

noun

bent back; crouching posture

Describes a posture with the back bent and hips lowered, often from fear or caution.

彼かれはへっぴり腰ごしで暗くらい廊ろう下かを進すすんだ。

He crept down the dark hallway with his back bent and knees weak.

2

noun

timidity; lack of nerve; weak-kneed attitude

Figurative use for a hesitant, cowardly attitude; often implies someone is half-hearted or lacking confidence.

へっぴり腰ごしで交こう渉しょうしても、いい結けっ果かは得えられない。
If you negotiate with a timid attitude, you won't get good results.

Kanji

腰loins, hips, waist
屁fart, passing gas
放set free, release, fire

Related words

腰こしが引ひける
A verb phrase meaning to be hesitant or to shrink back; similar figurative meaning but focuses on the action of losing nerve.
弱よわ気き
A noun or na-adjective meaning weak-spirited or bearish; more general and less physical than へっぴり腰.

Written forms

へっぴり腰ごし
Standard spelling; the first part is often written in kana.
屁へっ放ぴり腰ごし
Ateji spelling using kanji for the sound; rarely used.
屁へっぴり腰ごし
Alternate ateji spelling; rarely used.

Etymology

Compound of へっぴり (sound-symbolic element suggesting weakness or bending) and 腰 (waist/hips). The exact origin of へっぴり is uncertain, but it may be related to the sound of passing gas (屁) and a bent posture.