spear skill; spear thrust
Original meaning: skilled handling of a spear or the act of stabbing with one. Now largely historical or literary.
古武道では槍玉の技が重視された。
In classical martial arts, spear techniques were emphasized.
scapegoat; target of criticism
Modern idiomatic use, almost always in the phrase 槍玉に挙げる (to make a scapegoat of, to single out for blame).
See also: 槍玉に挙げる
彼は不祥事の責任を問われ、槍玉に挙げられた。
He was made a scapegoat for the scandal.
会議で彼女の提案が槍玉に挙がった。
Her proposal was singled out for criticism at the meeting.
Standard kanji spelling.
Mixed kana-kanji spelling, sometimes used for clarity.
Katakana-kanji spelling; uncommon.
Compound of 槍 (spear) and 玉 (ball, bead). The original meaning referred to spear technique or a spear thrust. The modern sense 'scapegoat' likely derives from the image of someone being targeted like a spear thrust, but the exact semantic shift is uncertain.