取とり付つく

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

cling to; hold on to

Physical clinging or holding fast to something, often for support or to avoid falling.

• 子こ供どもが母はは親おやの腕うでに取とり付ついて離はなれない。

  The child clings to the mother's arm and won't let go.

• 崖がけに取とり付ついて必ひっ死しに登のぼった。

  He clung to the cliff and climbed desperately.

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

grapple; wrestle

Used in sumo or fighting contexts for grappling with an opponent; also metaphorically for tackling a problem.

• 両りょう力りき士しは立たち上あがるとすぐに取とり付ついた。

  The two sumo wrestlers grappled as soon as they stood up.

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

set about; begin; undertake

To start a task or project with determination; often used with 仕事, 研究, 問題, etc.

• 新あたらしいプロジェクトに取とり付つく。

  I set about the new project.

• 彼かれは難なん問もんに取とり付ついた。

  He tackled the difficult problem.

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

possess; haunt; take hold of

Supernatural or obsessive possession; an evil spirit, idea, or feeling takes hold of someone. Often written 取り憑く.

• 彼かれは悪あく霊りょうに取とり付つかれたようだ。

  He seems to be possessed by an evil spirit.

• 妙みょうな考かんがえに取とり付つかれて眠ねむれなかった。

  I was haunted by a strange idea and couldn't sleep.

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

get a clue; obtain a lead

Used in detective or investigation contexts; finding a starting point or lead. Often in the phrase 手がかりに取り付く.

• 警けい察さつはようやく事じ件けんの手てがかりに取とり付ついた。

  The police finally got a lead on the case.