大だい上じょう段だんに構かまえる

expression, ichidan verb

hold a sword above one's head

Literal martial arts term: raising a sword high overhead in a commanding stance. Often implies an aggressive or intimidating posture.

See also: 大上段 (だいじょうだん)

• 剣けん道どうの試し合あいで、彼かれは大だい上じょう段だんに構かまえて相あい手てを威い圧あつした。

  In the kendo match, he held his sword high above his head to intimidate his opponent.

expression, ichidan verb

be haughty; be arrogant; take a high-handed attitude

Figurative use derived from the sword stance: acting superior, condescending, or overbearing. Often used in interpersonal or business contexts.

See also: 大上段 (だいじょうだん)

• 彼かれはいつも大だい上じょう段だんに構かまえた態たい度どで話はなすから、周まわりから嫌きらわれている。

  He always speaks with a haughty attitude, so people around him dislike him.

• そんなに大だい上じょう段だんに構かまえられると、こちらも言いいたいことが言いえなくなる。

  When you take such a high-handed stance, it makes it hard for me to say what I want to say.