はばかる

godan verb (-ru), transitive verb, intransitive verb

hesitate; have scruples; be afraid of what others may think

Used when someone holds back from doing something out of fear of criticism, social pressure, or moral qualms. Often appears in negative forms like はばからず or はばからない.

• 彼かれは上じょう司しの前まえで反はん論ろんするのをはばかった。

  He hesitated to argue back in front of his boss.

• 彼かの女じょは誰だれにはばかることなく自じ分ぶんの意い見けんを言いう。

  She speaks her mind without worrying about what others think.

godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb

lord it over; have great influence; throw one's weight around

Describes a person who acts arrogantly or dominates others, often because of their power or status. Frequently used in the set phrase 幅を利かせる (はばをきかせる) with a similar meaning, but はばかる itself can carry this sense independently.

• あの政せい治じ家かは地じ元もとではばかっている。

  That politician lords it over the local area.

• 彼かれは会かい社しゃで幅はばを利きかせてはばかっている。

  He throws his weight around at the company.