人ひとを飲のむ

expression, godan verb (-mu)

write 'person' on hand and pretend to swallow to calm nerves

A traditional Japanese technique for calming nerves: one writes the kanji 人 on their palm three times and mimics swallowing it. Often taught to children or used before performances.

• 緊きん張ちょうしたときは、手てのひらに人ひとを三さん回かい書かいて飲のむといいよ。

  When you're nervous, it helps to write the kanji for 'person' on your palm three times and pretend to swallow it.

• スピーチの前まえに、人ひとを飲のんで落おち着ついた。

  Before my speech, I calmed down by doing the 'swallowing a person' technique.