一いっ所しょ懸けん命めい

adverb, na-adjective, noun

with all one's might; desperately; very hard

Used for doing something with maximum effort, often in a desperate or earnest manner. Frequently interchangeable with 一生懸命 in modern usage, though purists may distinguish them.

See also: 一生懸命

• 彼かれは一いっ所しょ懸けん命めいに働はたらいて家か族ぞくを養やしなった。

  He worked with all his might to support his family.

• 試し験けんに合ごう格かくするために一いっ所しょ懸けん命めい勉べん強きょうした。

  I studied desperately to pass the exam.

noun

devoting oneself to defending one's territory (of a samurai)

Historical term referring to a samurai's single-minded devotion to protecting the land granted by their lord. Rare in modern conversation except in historical contexts.

• 中ちゅう世せいの武ぶ士しは一いっ所しょ懸けん命めいの精せい神しんで領りょう地ちを守まもった。

  Medieval warriors defended their territories with the spirit of devoting themselves entirely to that one place.