捉とらえどころ

と

ら

え

ど

こ

ろ

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

noun

key to understanding; point of an argument; something to grasp

usually written using kana alone

Often used in the negative phrase とらえどころのない to describe someone or something vague, elusive, or hard to pin down. The affirmative use is less common.

Expressions

とらえどころのないelusive; hard to pin down; vague

Kanji

捉catch, capture
所place, extent
捕catch, capture

Related words

つかみどころ
Similar meaning (something to grasp), but つかみどころ is more concrete and often used in the negative phrase つかみどころのない. とらえどころ is slightly more abstract and literary.

Written forms

捉とらえどころUsage32%
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling; usually written in kana.
とらえどころUsage68%
Kana spelling is common and matches usual-kana usage.
捉とらえ所どころ
Alternate kanji spelling using 所 instead of どころ.
捕とらえ所どころ
Variant using 捕らえ; less common but still seen.

Etymology

Compound of 捉える (とらえる, 'to grasp, catch') + 所 (どころ, 'place, point'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word literally means 'a place to grasp' and is used figuratively.